From his fashion choices and viral social media moments to his response to criticism, Kunle Afolayan’s son has continued to attract public attention as he marks a new chapter in his life.
There is something interesting about growing up in the public eye, particularly when your surname is already familiar to many people. For some, every appearance becomes an opportunity to celebrate; for others, it opens the door to opinions that may have little to do with the person being discussed.
Dieko Afolayan celebrates his 21st birthday in style
Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s son, Diekoloreoluwa Afolayan, popularly known as Dieko, turned 21 on Friday, November 6, 2026.
To mark the milestone, the young Afolayan shared a series of birthday photographs on Instagram, giving his followers a glimpse of his birthday look.
He opted for a stylish suit, paired with minimal accessories and a striking golden hairstyle. The blonde hair stood out in the photographs, adding a bold touch to his overall appearance. Dieko accompanied the pictures with a short caption, “21⭐️”.
In another post featuring a behind-the-scene moment of his birthday photoshoot session, Dieko shared a lengthy caption. In his words:
“21. 🪽
If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I’ve come a long way.
I think about the boy I was, the dreams he carried, the things he didn’t understand, the battles he fought quietly, the moments he questioned himself, and all the times he had to find the courage to begin again.
Twenty wasn’t necessarily easy. It was a year of becoming. A year of uncomfortable lessons, unexpected endings, new beginnings, difficult decisions and beautiful discoveries. I outgrew things I once thought I’d never live without. I met versions of myself I didn’t know existed. I learned that sometimes, the greatest act of courage is choosing to remain true to yourself, even when the world makes that difficult.
I’ve built things from the ground up. I’ve watched little ideas become something tangible. I’ve walked into rooms I once only imagined being in. I’ve experienced love, disappointment, uncertainty, joy and everything in between.
But perhaps my greatest achievement is that through it all, I haven’t lost the desire to live, to create, to love, to dream and to make a difference.
I used to think becoming meant having everything figured out. Now I understand that becoming is a lifelong relationship with yourself. And I’m learning to embrace every part of it.
To every version of me that had to let go, start over, speak up, hold on or simply make it through: thank you. You brought me here.
They say the phoenix rises from its ashes. I think I finally understand what that means.
Here’s to 21. To expansion, alignment, purpose, abundance, deeper love, greater experiences and the beautiful life I’m still creating.
I’m not arriving as someone who has figured it all out. I’m arriving as someone who knows he’s worth showing up for.
Same soul. Bigger dreams. New chapter.
Happy birthday to me. And happy birthday to ITGLOW.”
Asides the message, the photographs quickly attracted attention, with friends, family members and entertainers joining his Instagram comment section to celebrate him.
While many sent birthday wishes and compliments, other comments focused on his appearance, bringing renewed attention to conversations that have followed him on social media.
The birthday pictures attracted attention because of his fashion choices.
Why Dieko’s birthday photos are generating mixed reactions
For some people, Dieko’s birthday photographs were simply a celebration of a young man embracing his personal style. Others used the pictures to express opinions about his appearance.
Some of the comments were particularly critical, with netizens making assumptions about his sexuality and questioning his presentation. Some asked directly if he was gay or coming out, while some teased him about it. Such remarks reflect the kind of scrutiny Dieko has faced over his appearance in previous years. See some reactions in screenshot below:
However, Dieko has not publicly identified himself through the labels some netizens have attempted to attach to him. His previous response to similar criticism has instead focused on individuality, self-awareness and the freedom to express himself.
The reactions to his birthday pictures have therefore brought an old conversation back into focus: why does his appearance continue to attract so much attention?
A history of public scrutiny: Dieko’s previous viral moments
The attention surrounding Dieko’s 21st birthday photographs is not the first time his fashion choices have generated online conversations.
Over the last two years, different videos and public appearances have brought him into the spotlight, with netizens expressing contrasting opinions about his style.
October 2024: The designer handbag video
One of the earlier incidents happened in October 2024, when a video of Dieko shopping at a store circulated online.
In the video, he wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt while showing off his outfit and designer handbag. The bag, whose handles rested on his elbow, became one of the details that attracted attention.
The video went viral and while some netizens admired his confidence and fashion sense, others criticised what they perceived as feminine mannerisms.
March 2025: The braided hairstyle and viral red-carpet appearance
A few months later, Dieko found himself at the centre of another online conversation. This time, attention followed a video of him sporting a braided hairstyle and displaying dance moves while enjoying music.
The video, which circulated in March 2025, attracted reactions from Nigerians, particularly on X, formerly Twitter. Some netizens criticised his mannerisms, while others questioned why people were so concerned about how he chose to present himself.
The conversation became even bigger after his appearance at the premiere of his father’s film, Recall. Dieko’s red-carpet appearance and fashion choices became subjects of online debate, with some people making assumptions about his sexuality and accusing him of embracing Western ideas about gender identity.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism. Some condemned the comments as cyberbullying and urged people to allow him to express himself without unnecessary judgment.
Some argued that the criticism had become so excessive that Dieko appeared to be consciously adjusting how he stood.
The incident eventually prompted Dieko to address the criticism publicly.
Dieko Afolayan speaks out against criticism
Following the March 2025 controversy, Dieko decided to introduce himself to the public in his own words rather than allow online assumptions to define him.
In a statement shared on Instagram on April 1, 2025, he spoke about his personality, ambitions and desire to find his place in a society that often expects people to behave in certain ways.
He began by explaining why he felt the need to tell people more about himself. “I will keep introducing myself until people know me. If you’re looking for where hard work meets success, welcome to my page,” he said.
Describing himself, Dieko said he was 19 years old at the time and considered himself ambitious, hardworking and self-aware. He also revealed that he was an influencer, content creator and entrepreneur, adding that he was naturally reserved.
However, one part of his statement particularly stood out. He acknowledged that although he came from a family of stars, he was also an individual trying to discover himself. “I come from a line of stars, but I am also an individual trying to find myself in a world that demands conformity. It’s annoying,” he said.
Dieko further explained that he wanted to be a role model to young boys and girls. Interestingly, he disclosed that most of his role models were women, a comment that also attracted attention because of the earlier discussions surrounding his appearance. He concluded by making his position clear:
“I am someone who is unapologetic about who I am. I am unapologetic about my values and standards.”
His response offered a different perspective from the conversations that had largely focused on his appearance. Rather than changing himself to satisfy public expectations, he maintained that he wanted to remain comfortable with his identity and personal choices.
Beyond being Kunle Afolayan’s son: Who is Dieko?
Although his relationship with Kunle Afolayan has contributed to his visibility, Dieko has also spoken about his own interests and ambitions.
His full name is Diekoloreoluwa Afolayan, and he is one of the filmmaker’s children.
Growing up with a father who has established himself in the Nigerian film industry has naturally placed Dieko in the public eye. However, his own interests extend beyond his father’s career.
In his April 2025 statement, he described himself as an influencer, creator and entrepreneur with multiple talents. Dieko is also the founder of IT Glow, a wellness company. He is also a model and media personality.
Conclusion
Turning 21 is another chapter in a young person’s life, often accompanied by new experiences, decisions and discoveries.
For Dieko, growing up in the public eye has meant that even the simplest things, from a fashion choice to a birthday photograph, can become subjects of public conversation.
But as he steps into another year, one thing remains clear: there is more to a person than what others see in a photograph.
