Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has opened up about a dramatic chapter in his early life, recounting how Nigerian security agencies were deployed to search for him after he fled his billionaire father’s home to chase his passion for music.
Speaking on a recent episode of the popular American podcast Bagfuel Brigade, Davido shared an emotional and revealing story of how he secretly nurtured his music career as a teenager, despite the enormous expectations placed upon him as the son of wealthy business magnate Dr. Deji Adeleke.
According to the “Unavailable” crooner, life took a sharp turn after the death of his mother. At the time, he was left living alone with his father in their sprawling 16-bedroom mansion, while his siblings pursued their studies in the United States.
“I was living alone with my dad in a 16-bedroom mansion because all my siblings were in America,” Davido recalled. “I had a full studio in the house, and he didn’t even know. A complete studio where I spent most of my time making music and smoking.”
Despite the secret setup, the Grammy-nominated artist soon found it difficult to continue hiding his true passion. Driven by a relentless desire to pursue a career in music, he eventually made the bold decision to flee Nigeria altogether.
“I got tired of hiding,” Davido said. “I just left. I traveled to London and stayed with a producer friend for about six months, making music and planning my future.”
Back home in Nigeria, however, his sudden disappearance caused panic within the Adeleke family. Davido revealed that his father, desperate to find his son, activated a large-scale search involving multiple Nigerian security agencies, including immigration officials, the army, the police, and other forces.
“My dad was looking for me. The army, Immigration officers, every security agency you can think of in Nigeria was searching for Dr. Deji Adeleke’s son, which is me,” he said.
For months, Davido remained under the radar in London, spending his days recording music and plotting his entry into the entertainment world. However, his covert adventure eventually came to an end when he decided to return to Nigeria.
Yet, even then, he had no intention of going home.
“When I returned to Nigeria, I wasn’t planning to go straight home,” he explained. “I landed at the airport with the intention of going to a friend’s place — but the moment I stepped out, an army officer approached me immediately and escorted me outside.”
To his astonishment, Davido was met by a group of uniformed officers — and his father himself was standing there waiting for him.
“I saw my dad standing there with all these officers,” Davido continued. “At first, I thought he was going to scold me or even be very angry. But to my surprise, when he saw me, he just hugged me. He was happy to see me.”
The heartwarming reunion between father and son marked a turning point for Davido. Despite his father’s initial disapproval of a career in music — favoring a more traditional path in business or academia — Dr. Deji Adeleke eventually came to support his son’s dreams.
Today, Davido is recognized as one of Africa’s biggest music exports, with international awards, chart-topping albums, and a massive global fanbase to his name.
Reflecting on the experience, Davido acknowledged that his journey was anything but conventional, but ultimately necessary for his success.
“Sometimes you have to take risks and follow your passion, no matter how crazy it seems,” he said. “If I hadn’t taken that step, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
Davido’s story offers a powerful lesson on perseverance, family love, and the challenges of balancing parental expectations with personal ambitions. His candid account has inspired many fans, especially young people who aspire to follow their dreams despite opposition.
Born into one of Nigeria’s most prominent and wealthy families, Davido’s determination to carve his own path in the entertainment industry is a testament to his resilience and belief in his talent.
Over the years, the singer has often spoken about his father’s initial skepticism and eventual support. In previous interviews, he credited his father’s wealth for shielding him from early financial struggles but emphasized that his achievements were earned through hard work and dedication.
“My father is very supportive now,” Davido said. “He didn’t understand it at first, but now he’s my biggest fan.”
From a young boy secretly building a studio in his father’s mansion to becoming a global music icon, Davido’s journey remains an inspiring tale of ambition, rebellion, and ultimate reconciliation.
Today, he continues to dominate the international music scene, performing sold-out concerts around the world and using his platform to uplift others through philanthropy and mentorship.
