In just three days, a private family dispute involving Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade Odunsi, popularly known as Asake, and his father, Fatai Odunsi, captured widespread attention. The unfolding drama, which began with allegations of abandonment and financial neglect, quickly spiraled into a heated debate on social media. It was a saga filled with emotions, accusations, and counter-accusations that ultimately led to reconciliation and a renewed commitment from Asake to support his father.
The Fallout: Accusations of Neglect and Abandonment
On Friday, March 14, 2025, a video of Fatai Odunsi surfaced online, sparking controversy. In the now-viral clip, the elderly man, who revealed he has been battling a stroke since 2022, accused his son of neglect. He claimed that despite his failing health, Asake had not supported him financially or even communicated with him. According to Odunsi, the last time he spoke with his son was in 2022, and since then, his calls and messages had gone unanswered.
“I have been sick, battling a stroke for two years now, and my son has abandoned me,” Odunsi lamented. “I do not know why he has refused to see me or answer my calls. A child should not treat his father this way.”
The revelation immediately sparked heated discussions online. Some sympathized with Odunsi, criticizing Asake for allegedly failing in his duty as a son. Others defended the singer, arguing that there might be more to the story. The debate soon extended to Asake’s mother, Falilat, whom some accused of turning her son against his father.
While social media was ablaze with mixed reactions, Asake indirectly responded through a cryptic post on his Instagram page. The Grammy-nominated artist suggested that he had done his best for his father but was now being manipulated.
“You can’t please everyone,” Asake stated. “You can’t please the world. But anything you are doing, just do it for God. My own father wants to cajole me, and I have sent so much money to him. I have struggled for so many years, but they want to make life tire me.”
Public Backlash and the Emergence of a Hidden Family Story
Asake’s response did little to quell the controversy. Instead, it further fueled speculation. Supporters of his father claimed that Odunsi had been a responsible parent who actively raised Asake after separating from his mother in 1998. They insisted that Asake had abandoned not only his father but also his own child—a revelation that shocked many.
It was during these heated exchanges that news of an 11-year-old girl, Zeenat, said to be Asake’s daughter, emerged. Critics questioned why the singer, known for his extravagant lifestyle, had allegedly failed to provide for his father and child.
However, Asake’s supporters argued that the story was one-sided and that his father’s public appeal was an attempt to shame him into submission. Some pointed out that Odunsi’s approach was problematic, as a father should not seek to reconnect with his son through public pressure.
Sesan Adeniji, a commentator, voiced his concerns, saying: “To imagine Asake’s father failed to use his first public appearance to reconnect by saying, ‘Son, I still love you. Forgive me if I have wronged you.’ Instead, he used his name to beg and dent his image by saying, ‘He has not picked my call.’ That is bonkers entitlement. A father who publicly chastises his son for not helping financially may win public sympathy but arguably fails in his role as a father.”
Reconciliation: A Father and Son Reunite
Amidst the growing controversy, Asake reached out to his father. By Sunday, March 16, Odunsi confirmed in a short video that they had spoken and settled their differences. He expressed relief, stating that Asake had assured him of his full support moving forward.“
His mother ought to ask him when last he saw me. That was what got me angry, but we have sorted all the problems. We are no longer fighting,” Odunsi said.
According to him, Asake has committed to purchasing a new house for him and covering his medical expenses. He also confirmed that the singer had sent funds for his treatment and that he would be visiting a hospital in Lekki soon.“
Asake said he will do everything that I want. We have settled, no more problems. They are now looking for a new house that he will buy for me. He has settled everything,” he stated.
Regarding his alleged neglect of his daughter, Odunsi clarified that Asake had never denied the child but had now promised to take full responsibility for her.“He has never denied his child, but he has now promised to take full responsibility for the child,” he added.
Reactions from Different Quarters
The reconciliation was met with mixed reactions. Some saw it as a transactional resolution, suggesting that Asake only acted after public pressure. Adeniji commented again, saying: “Asake has done the transaction. His father said, ‘We have spoken. He’s about to buy me a house. Fight is over…’ Sometimes, the level of love you get from some family members is transactional. Get money and God’s grace.”
Others, like Wale Olaleye, deputy editor at ThisDay Newspaper, criticized Asake’s handling of the situation.“It is heartbreaking to actually realize that Portable is more sensible than Asake. He should have shut his mouth. Sad!”
However, Canadian-based media strategist Esther Ijewere took a different perspective. She emphasized the importance of understanding Asake’s emotional journey and the potential wounds from his upbringing.“
No child should grow up in a world where age and cultural expectations suppress their emotions. Children raised this way often become defensive adults, struggling to express themselves or shutting people out completely,” she wrote.
Ijewere urged parents to be more present in their children’s lives and to foster love rather than a sense of obligation.
“To parents: Please, don’t let the world raise your talented children for you. Be present. Be intentional. Be the voice they hear before the noise of the world tries to define them. A child who feels truly seen and loved at home will have less to prove to the world.”
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