Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has unveiled plans for his first-ever festival in London, where he will not only headline but also curate the entire lineup.

The Grammy-nominated artist shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that Davido & Friends Festival will take place at Crystal Palace Bowl on Friday, August 14. He described the event as his only outdoor performance in London this summer, making it a highly anticipated date for fans.

The festival is included in Palace Bowl Presents, a newly launched concert series running from July 31 to August 16 at the iconic venue. The series will feature a rotating lineup of international headliners across different dates.

Crystal Palace Bowl & Festival

Among those already confirmed are gospel stars Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Kirk Franklin, who are set to headline on August 2.

Davido’s August 14 show is being promoted as a UK festival exclusive, with the rest of the lineup still under wraps. The “& Friends” branding has already sparked speculation among fans about possible surprise guest appearances, though the singer has not revealed any names.

The choice of Crystal Palace Bowl adds significance to the event. Established in 1961, the open-air venue is one of London’s most iconic performance spaces, with a capacity of about 15,000 people. It has hosted major acts over the years, and Davido is set to become one of the few Nigerian artists to headline the stage.

The announcement comes on the back of Davido’s successful fifth studio album 5ive, released in 2025. The project received critical acclaim and reinforced his position as a global Afrobeats force.

One of its standout tracks, With You, featuring Omah Lay, has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify and earned him a Grammy nomination.

With anticipation building, the full festival lineup—once announced—is expected to draw major attention, further cementing Davido’s growing international influence.

A legal battle over the estate of former Adebayo Alao-Akala has taken a dramatic turn, with an Oyo State High Court stepping in to stop further sale of his properties amid growing family tensions.

The dispute was initiated by his first daughter, Oluwatoyin Alao Aderinto, who accused estate executors of disposing of key assets without her consent. In response, the court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining any further transactions pending the determination of the suit.

Global Asset Portfolio Uncovered

Court filings revealed that the late politician left behind a vast and diverse portfolio of assets spread across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ghana. These include luxury residences in Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan, a five-star hotel in Ghana, properties in New York and Essex, as well as commercial investments such as filling stations, farms, and a radio station.

The scale of the estate underscores the complexities often associated with managing high-value inheritances in Nigeria, especially when multiple beneficiaries are involved.

DNA Test Request Sparks Controversy

In a surprising twist, Aderinto has asked the court to order DNA tests for seven individuals, including a sitting member of the House of Representatives, to establish rightful beneficiaries. She also requested the exhumation of her father’s remains for paternity verification—an unusual move that has added another layer of controversy to the case.

Legal Implications

Legal analysts say the case could become a landmark in Nigeria, particularly in defining how courts handle disputed estates involving questions of paternity and asset distribution.

The court has adjourned proceedings until April 16 to rule on the DNA test application, while the injunction on property sales remains in force.

As the case unfolds, it continues to draw public attention, highlighting both the legal and emotional complexities of inheritance disputes among prominent families.