By Prosper Mene
Nigerian Superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has opened up about the heartfelt words of encouragement from his wife, Chioma Rowland Adeleke, following his loss at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026.
Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category for his track “With You” (featuring Omah Lay), from his album 5IVE. The category featured strong Nigerian contenders, including Burna Boy (“Love”), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (“Gimme Dat”), but the award ultimately went to South African artist Tyla for “Push 2 Start”. This marked Davido’s second Grammy nomination without a win, continuing his pursuit of the prestigious accolade.
In a candid Instagram post shared shortly after the ceremony, Davido revealed his initial disappointment. He recounted telling Chioma, “Baby listen, we lost again, let’s not go!” — referring to skipping the after-party events. Chioma’s response shifted his perspective and highlighted her supportive role:
“She said, ‘Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. We’re outside.’”
Davido accompanied the quote with photos of the couple at the Grammys and post-event outings, captioning it with affection: “My ride or die. She dey my back, active geng.” Chioma reinforced her support in her own post, writing, “You already know that you’re the perfect one, @davido.”
The exchange quickly went viral, with fans praising Chioma’s wisdom and grace. Many described her as Davido’s emotional anchor, turning a moment of setback into one of resilience and unity. Davido also shared earlier messages of faith, posting photos with the caption “Oluwa Dey my side” (God is on my side), emphasizing gratitude despite the outcome.
The 2026 Grammys saw no Nigerian wins in key categories, causing broader discussions about African representation. However, Davido’s transparency and Chioma’s uplifting words have been celebrated as a reminder that personal strength and relationships often outweigh individual awards.
This moment underscores the couple’s strong bond, with Chioma consistently standing by Davido through career highs and lows. As one fan put it online: “Behind every successful man is a Chioma.”
