Davido shares how his secret passion for music once led to a nationwide search by Nigerian authorities after leaving home without notice

International Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed a dramatic chapter from his youth when a nationwide manhunt was launched by Nigerian security agencies after he disappeared to pursue a music career in secret.

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Speaking on the popular U.S. podcast Bagfuel Brigade, Davido recounted how he hid his musical ambitions from his billionaire father, Dr. Deji Adeleke, by secretly building a recording studio inside their 16-bedroom mansion.

“I was living alone with my dad in a 16-bedroom mansion because all my siblings were in America. I had a studio in the house and he didn’t know. A complete studio where I spent most of my time making music and smoking,” Davido said.

After months of making music in secrecy, the young artist left Nigeria for London to deepen his craft—without telling anyone. The disappearance triggered widespread panic in his family, prompting security agencies, including the army, police, and immigration, to search for him across the country.

“My dad was looking for me, the army, immigration officers, every security agency in Nigeria was looking for Dr. Deji Adeleke’s son, which is me,” Davido explained.

Eventually caught upon arrival back in Nigeria, Davido braced himself for punishment. Instead, he received an unexpected embrace from his father.“I thought my dad would scold me, but instead, he hugged me. He was happy to see me,” he added.