Nigerian Mum of Four Returns Home, Vows to Regain Custody of Children Held in Germany
Adenike Obaoye, a Nigerian mother of four, has returned to Nigeria following the end of her marriage to her German husband. Her arrival at Lagos airport on May 22, 2025, was marked by a video announcement in which she declared she is no longer a resident of Germany.
While she returned alone, none of her children accompanied her, a point she emphasized with emotional resolve. Two of her sons, Noah Obaoye (born July 8, 2021) and David Obaoye (born June 7, 2022), remain in Germany under the custody of Jugendamt Berlin, a youth welfare agency.
Obaoye claims the agency is wrongfully holding her children, citing mental illness allegations and housing issues as the basis for their decision. She strongly denies the accusations and challenges the credibility of the claims by pointing to her ability to travel alone on an international flight.
In several TikTok videos, Adenike has shared details of her turbulent separation and ongoing legal and emotional battle to be reunited with her children, whom she says do not hold German citizenship.