•Davido and Burna Boy
In an entertainment industry fuelled by talent, ego, competition and constant public scrutiny, conflict is inevitable. From music to movies, comedy skits to Instagram Live sessions, Nigerian pop culture has witnessed spectacular fallouts that have played out in real time before fans.
In this piece, Saturday PUNCH writes on the yearnings of many entertainment lovers to see some of their faves who are currently at loggerheads work together in 2026.
Portable and Speed Darlington
If there were ever two entertainers who thrived on controversy as much as creativity, it would be Portable (Habeeb Okikiola) and Speed Darlington (Darlington Okoye). Both men are unapologetically loud, confrontational, and fiercely independent. Their clash was, in many ways, inevitable.
The beef reportedly escalated after Speed Darlington mocked Portable’s street persona and questioned his legitimacy in the industry. Portable, never one to ignore provocation, responded with a barrage of insults, threatening videos, and verbal attacks that quickly went viral.
“I no dey fear anybody for this industry. If you talk my name anyhow, I go reply you,” Portable once said in a viral clip.
Speed Darlington, on his part, dismissed Portable as “overrated” and accused him of lacking discipline and professionalism. “Fame is not madness. You can’t be shouting every day and think that’s talent,” Speedy said in one Instagram rant.
However, imagine a joint project between the two. A music video alone would likely break the Internet. Their shared love for raw, unfiltered expression could result in a satirical street anthem or a mockumentary-style visual that blurs the line between parody and performance art. The chaos would be deliberate but irresistible; and that’s what many fans would love to see in 2026.
Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham
Though top actresses and filmmakers, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, have repeatedy said that there is no hard feelings between them, it is an open secret that there is a perpetually simmering rivalry between both of them.
Whenever Akindele unveils a project, especially her year-end cinema blockbuster, you can be sure that Abraham will be close by, promoting her own film as well.
While congratulating Akindele on the success of her 2024 film, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, Abraham had alluded to the “beef” between them. She wrote in an Instagram post, “The number one cause of fights in the industry then was ‘he said, she said’ before the social media era. Dear Nollywood people, let me chip this in, stop tearing the industry down with your gossip.
“You have caused lots of damage with ‘he-said, she-said’. In those days of the Yoruba film industry, @funkejenifaakindele was number one after the likes of Aunty Bukky and Aunty Faithia. I was the next in line.
“The competition was much and with many gossips in between, we became competitors and persona non grata. She moved on to the English industry, I became number one before moving on too.
“Aunty Funke and I continued the rivalry sort of. It pitted our fans against each other. We are two competitive Virgo women, we love to win and sometimes in that process, we splash dirt and mud.
“But with time, age and more wisdom, I have realised we can compete without being negatively competitive. Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible. You are a winner. You sold over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream.”
On her part, Akindele, who is known for her guarded public persona, has maintained silence, choosing instead to focus on her career. “I am about my work. People come and go,” she said in an interview when asked about friendships in the industry.
Both women have gone on to dominate the box office multiple times and have become two of the most bankable female filmmakers in Nollywood.
This has led many fans to call on both personalities to work together as –co-filmmakers and actors on a project.
“Imagine a blockbuster film starring and co-produced by both women, exploring themes of sisterhood, rivalry, forgiveness, and power. It would not only break records but send a powerful message about maturity and growth,” a film critic, Tunde Akintunde told Saturday Beats.
D’banj and Don Jazzy
Once seemingly inseparable, popstar, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj; and maverick beat maker, Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy’s split remains one of the most consequential moments in Nigerian music history. As founders of Mo’Hits Records, the duo helped to reshape the sound of afrobeats, and launched the careers of multiple stars.
Their breakup in 2012 shocked fans. While both initially downplayed the feud, subtle jabs and interviews later revealed underlying tensions. D’banj spoke of creative differences and ambition. “I wanted to explore globally, while Don Jazzy had a different vision,” he said.
Don Jazzy also once said, “When partnership breaks down, it’s not about talent. It’s about alignment.”
More than a decade later, both men have evolved. Don Jazzy built Mavin Records into a powerhouse, while D’banj reinvented himself through entrepreneurship and advocacy.
A reunion — even for a single track or documentary — would be monumental. It would be a celebration of legacy, growth, and the enduring power of collaboration over conflict.
Odumodu Blaq and Blaqbonez
The tension between rappers, Tochukwu Ojogwu, aka Odumodu Blaq, and Blaqbonez, has been boiling for some time, and it seems to be getting even more intense.
The tension first came to public attention on February 7, 2025, when Odumodublvck boldly declared on X that no rap album currently matched the impact of his 2023 project, Eziokwu.
“I said what I said bro. Compile every single hit, it is not touching Eziokwu,” he posted.
While he didn’t mention anyone directly, many fans interpreted it as a slight to his peers, particularly Blaqbonez, whose album, Emeka Must Shine, was also critically acclaimed. Blaqbonez wasted no time in responding, posting a clip from his song, Consistency, with the caption, “This is consistency. Say it for those in the back, for the ignorant. It burnsss!”
The rift appeared to widen further in April at the Headies Awards, where Odumodublvck was seen on camera flashing what many interpreted as a middle finger in Blaqbonez’s direction. Though neither party confirmed this, it stoked the flames of an already simmering rivalry.
Some weeks ago, Chocolate City released a statement alleging that Odumodu had assaulted different members of their team, including Blaqbonez and his manager.
However, fans reckon that a collaboration between the two would be a fascinating experiment; melding sharp lyricism with catchy hooks. Perhaps, it will happen in 2026.
Davido, Burna Boy and Wizkid
Described by some as the “afrobeats trinity”, the relationship (rivalry) between Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy has shaped Nigerian pop culture in many ways. Fans have turned subtle shade into full-blown wars, dissecting tweets, lyrics and body language.
Over the years, the artistes have traded messages, which were interpreted as “shades”. Wizkid once tweeted, “You guys are trying to beef with me, I don’t even know you.” Davido responded in his own way, insisting on his work ethic and success. Burna Boy, meanwhile, positioned himself as the outsider, often critiquing the industry itself.
“I don’t need validation from anybody. My music speaks for itself,” Burna Boy once said in an interview.”
Despite the tensions, all three have expressed mutual respect. Wizkid once admitted, “Davido is hardworking”; and Davido has praised Burna Boy’s global success.
A joint project — whether a song or EP — would be seismic. It would unite fans, silence comparisons, and showcase the collective strength of Nigerian music on a global scale.
Carter Efe and Shanks
Skit makers and live-streamers, Carter Efe and Shanks Comics, once represented a new wave of Nigerian digital comedy. Their alleged fallout has to do with their current ranking as streamers.
Shanks was widely regarded as the top African streamer (especially on Twitch), for a while until Efe’s record-breaking livestream with pop star, Davido. After the stream, Carter Efe had about 405,000 followers on Twitch.
However, about a week ago, Efe’s account was temporarily suspended for four months.
Despite the underlying tension between both streamers, some fans have expressed hope in someday watching a joint session between them. That day might be in 2026!
Peggy Ovire and Taye Arimoro
Actress and filmmaker, Peggy Ovire, and her colleague, Taye Arimoro, made headlines recently. In a series of videos posted on social media, Arimoro had alleged that Ovire and some other people had assaulted him and prevented him from leaving the location.
Ovire had contracted Arimoro to feature in her production. Arimoro, however, stated that filming exceeded his call time, despite his earlier notification to the producers that they needed to keep to schedule because he had another appointment to prepare for after leaving the set. Ovire’s team, on the other hand, insisted that Arimoro did not appear in all the scenes assigned to him.
Some guilds in the industry slammed a controversial suspension on Arimoro, and it is not clear if the pair has mended fences. However, it would be interesting to see if or when the two would ever work together again.
Gideon Okeke and Jim Iyke
Gideon Okeke has publicly criticised Jim Iyke on many occasions. Even though the latter has not responded, it would be interesting to see them work together again.
VDM, Dee One, Bobrisky and Iyabo Ojo
Imagine all four personalities on one livestream — VeryDarkMan, Dee One, Bobrisky and Iyabo Ojo.
Each has clashed with the other at different times, exchanging accusations, insults and legal threats.
Yet, their combined presence would be explosive, hilarious and deeply engaging. It would be reality TV in real time.
Psquare and Jude
The P-Square saga involving the Okoye brothers— twin Peter and Paul; and the senior Jude remains one of the most painful in Nigerian music. Accusations of mismanagement, greed and betrayal tore the family apart.
The fallout between the brothers has degenerated so badly that they are currently battling a fraud case in court.
Fans still recall with nostalgia the early days when the twin brothers would sing and Jude would direct their videos. Perhaps, it could happen again this year.
