Behind the global stardom of Afrobeats sensation Davido lies the enduring legacy of a woman whose story is etched deep into the rich cultural mosaic of Nigeria — Dr. Nnenna Esther Adeleke, his late grandmother.
Her life, often unsung in the media whirlwind around her famous grandson, is a remarkable tale of cultural fusion, spiritual leadership, and familial strength.
Born Nnenna Esther Akparah in the heart of Abia State, Dr. Adeleke was proudly Igbo and carried her heritage with grace and purpose. Her life took a dynamic turn when she married Alhaji Raji Ayoola Adeleke, a prominent Yoruba man from Ede, Osun State. Their marriage was more than a union of two individuals — it symbolized the power of Nigeria’s ethnic diversity, where love and family transcend cultural boundaries.
Together, they raised children who would go on to shape Nigeria’s academic, business, and entertainment landscapes. Their son, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke — a business magnate and founder of Adeleke University — was born in Enugu State in 1957, a nod to the family’s pan-Nigerian identity. He would later father David Adeleke, known worldwide as Davido, who has proudly embraced both sides of his heritage.
Dr. Nnenna Adeleke was not just a matriarch by blood, but a spiritual pillar in her community. She served with distinction as the Senior Mother-in-Israel in her church — a revered position that reflects her deep commitment to faith and service. She was known for her grace, wisdom, and the quiet strength with which she upheld the values of unity and compassion within her family and beyond.
In 2023, her memory was honored in grand fashion when her son, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, donated a staggering ₦1 billion to the church’s centenary endowment fund. This gesture wasn’t just philanthropy — it was a tribute to the woman whose quiet influence shaped an entire generation of Adeles. “She laid the foundation for everything we are today,” he reportedly said during the donation ceremony.
Davido himself, in the face of online criticism and tribal debates, once declared, “I am Igbo by blood.” It was a powerful affirmation of his grandmother’s lineage — a reminder that identity is not always defined by surname or state of origin, but by the bloodlines that run deep, and the stories that live on.
Dr. Nnenna Esther Adeleke may have passed on, but her legacy endures in every stadium Davido fills, every philanthropic gesture her son makes, and every bridge the Adeleke family builds across Nigeria’s cultural divides. Hers is a story that reminds us that greatness often begins with the quiet strength of a grandmother — one who dared to love across borders, serve with honor, and raise a family that would one day inspire the world.
