Nigerian music star D’banj has paid an emotional tribute to his late son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, eight years after the toddler drowned in a swimming pool at the family's Lagos residence, reflecting on the enduring pain of losing a child and the strength his family has found in continuing their lives.
The award-winning singer, whose real name is Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, shared the tribute on Thursday, October 29, 2026, through his social media accounts, accompanied by family photographs. Addressing his son directly, he expressed how deeply he still missed him while acknowledging the emotional impact of the tragedy on his wife, Lineo Didi Kilgrow.
“I miss you Daniel D3rd my son,” D’banj wrote, adding that he could not fully imagine how the child's mother felt about the loss. He described the family's present circumstances as a place of emotional safety, suggesting that they had gradually found a measure of stability after years of grief.
The singer affectionately described Daniel as the family's star boy, recalling the special place the child occupied in their lives despite his death at just 13 months old.
D’banj also addressed the two children born to the couple after Daniel's death, expressing his belief that their late brother would be proud of the family they had continued to build.
His message conveyed gratitude for the lessons he associated with his son's short life. Rather than focusing exclusively on the circumstances of the tragedy, the musician reflected on how the experience had influenced his understanding of family, love and personal resilience.
“Thank you for showing me what life really is as a whole,” he wrote, before reaffirming his enduring affection for Daniel.
The tribute also included a reference to the singer's late brother, Femi, whom he asked Daniel to greet. It was a deeply personal moment in a message that connected memories of two deceased family members.
The post concluded with another declaration of paternal love, emphasising that the bond between father and son remained meaningful to him despite their physical separation.
Daniel died on June 24, 2018, after drowning in the swimming pool at his family's home in Ikoyi, Lagos. He had celebrated his first birthday the previous month.
At the time of the incident, D’banj was reportedly in Los Angeles, United States, attending the BET Awards, one of the entertainment industry's prominent international ceremonies celebrating achievements in music and popular culture.
News of the child's death generated widespread sympathy across Nigeria's entertainment industry, with fellow musicians, public figures and fans expressing condolences to the grieving family.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the death in a statement issued shortly afterwards. Then Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimi conveyed the command's condolences and acknowledged the family's painful loss.
Police representatives visited the residence following the incident, although the command initially said they had not met family members during the visit. Authorities requested that the family provide a formal account of the circumstances after an appropriate mourning period.
The public reports available at the time established the drowning but did not provide a comprehensive explanation of the events immediately preceding it. The tragedy nevertheless attracted considerable public attention because of the child's age and his father's celebrity status.
Shortly after the incident, D’banj shared a dark image on Instagram accompanied by a message expressing his continued faith in God despite the difficult circumstances.
He subsequently thanked supporters for their compassion, acknowledging the messages of encouragement received from Nigeria and abroad.
The musician described the weeks following Daniel's death as extraordinarily difficult for his family. He credited his faith, close relationships and the support of fans with helping him endure the period.
In December 2018, during an appearance at an end-of-year event organised by a real estate company, D’banj spoke again about the tragedy and its effect on his life.
He acknowledged that losing his son had been among his most challenging experiences, while explaining that encouragement from supporters had helped him remain emotionally strong.
His comments reflected the role public solidarity played during a period when the family was dealing with grief under intense media attention.
The singer and Lineo, who married in June 2016, subsequently welcomed another son, Zane, in September 2019. Their daughter was born in January 2021.
The arrival of the children marked important developments in the family's life after Daniel's death, although D’banj's latest message makes clear that the memory of their first son remains central to their family story.
His reference to being in a safe space did not suggest that the loss had been forgotten. Instead, the tribute presented a picture of a family continuing to honour Daniel while finding ways to embrace life and parenthood.
D’banj has remained an influential figure in Nigerian popular music, having achieved international recognition through songs including Oliver Twist and his work with the former Mo’Hits Records collective.
His contributions helped introduce contemporary Nigerian popular music to wider international audiences during a period when Afrobeats was expanding beyond West Africa.
He won the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa in 2011, an achievement that contributed to his international profile.
Despite his public success, the death of Daniel became one of the most widely discussed personal tragedies associated with the singer's life.
The latest tribute offers a rare personal reflection on how the loss continues to shape his family, even as he maintains his career and raises his younger children.
The message also illustrates how bereavement can remain significant long after the immediate period of mourning. For parents who lose children, anniversaries, photographs and family milestones can continue to evoke powerful memories.
D’banj did not use the tribute to announce a new project or public campaign. His message centred instead on remembrance, gratitude and affection for the child whose life ended prematurely.
The photographs accompanying the post provided a visual reminder of the relationship between the singer, his wife and their first son, while the written message acknowledged both the sorrow of his absence and the family's continuing bond.
Eight years after Daniel's death, the singer's words demonstrate that the passage of time has not diminished the importance of his son's memory.
For D’banj and his family, the tribute was an opportunity to remember Daniel publicly, acknowledge their journey through grief and reaffirm the love they continue to hold for him.
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