Diiadem and Dabota Lawson trade claims over money, business and bloggers as their once-close friendship breaks down publicly
The friendship between Adeola “Diiadem” Adeyemi and Dabota Lawson, two beauty entrepreneurs and cast members of The Real Housewives of Lagos, has turned into a public dispute, with both women exchanging claims over money, business opportunities and alleged involvement with bloggers.
The pair became close after meeting through the beauty industry and later joined the cast of the third season of the reality show, where their friendship was publicly visible.
They were also known for supporting each other’s businesses and appearing together before reports emerged that their relationship had deteriorated.
Neither woman initially gave a detailed public explanation for the fallout, although social media reports linked the breakdown to alleged jealousy.
The dispute became more pronounced on Thursday when Diiadem took to Snapchat to address what she described as online “hate” and “smear campaigns”.
She accused Dabota of being connected to information about her that had appeared on blogs and alleged that a ₦5 million transfer previously associated with Dabota’s birthday gesture was later requested back.
“Anyone remembered this alert I posted hyping Dabota? Well as soon as it was posted, I was told it’s called ‘girls game’ and needs to be returned. Which I did immediately,” Diiadem wrote.
She also directly asked Dabota to stop discussing her publicly.
“Get my name off your mouth Dabota Lawson and leave me alone,” she said.
Diiadem further alleged that Dabota had a tendency to involve bloggers when relationships broke down, saying this had become particularly painful when her daughter’s image appeared on a blog.
“I felt like a failed parent when I saw my daughter’s face on that dirty blog,” she said.
She later made clear that she did not want the disagreement to continue.
“I refuse to be used, manipulated, or dragged into unnecessary drama. Please, get over yourself and leave me alone. I just want to live,” Diiadem said.
Dabota subsequently responded, challenging Diiadem to identify exactly what she believed had caused the breakdown.
She pointed to a funding opportunity as one possible source of tension, saying she had secured financing from a company that Diiadem had also approached.
“SAY EXACTLY WHAT DABOTA LAWSON DID TO YOU,” she wrote.
Dabota said she had also renovated and rebranded her business and launched a new innovation that she had personally shown Diiadem when its first samples arrived.
“I genuinely cannot identify exactly what I have done to you,” she added.
She also rejected aspects of Diiadem’s claims about bloggers and previous disagreements involving other personalities.
On Sophia Momodu, Dabota said she had already addressed their disagreement directly during The Real Housewives of Lagos rather than relying on bloggers.
“Whether it appeared on a blog or not, I said what I had to say directly to her face on national television, without mincing my words,” she said.
Dabota then challenged Diiadem to provide evidence for the allegations she had made.
“Speaking of the blogger, I dare you to publish the evidence supporting every allegation you have made,” she said.
Financial dealings between the former friends have also become part of the public argument.
Diiadem said she once borrowed ₦1 million from Dabota during a meeting because she could not complete a transfer at the time.
According to Diiadem, she later repaid ₦1.5 million and added extra money for Dabota to buy gifts for her daughter.
“And yes, I borrowed ₦1 million from you because we were in a meeting and I couldn’t make a transfer at that moment. When I paid you back, I sent ₦1.5 million and even added extra so you could buy gifts for your daughter,” she said.
Diiadem also questioned Dabota’s account of money allegedly sprayed at her party, adding another financial disagreement to an already complicated exchange.
The dispute later expanded to a $10,000 funding opportunity and a project involving content creator Jarvis.
Diiadem claimed Dabota had wanted to participate in the Jarvis project but became upset after she was not invited.
“As for Jarvis, you desperately wanted to be part of it. When I didn’t invite you, you got upset,” she said.
She also referred to Dabota’s comments about the visibility another creator received through the project.
The competing accounts suggest that the breakdown did not arise from a single disagreement but from a series of unresolved issues involving personal friendship, business relationships, money and public image.
Diiadem has repeatedly asked to be left out of further drama, while Dabota has challenged her to clearly state what she believes she did wrong and provide evidence for the allegations.
The dispute has since moved beyond the two women, with screenshots of their posts circulating across social media.
Their fallout has attracted particular attention because of their previous closeness and their shared appearance on The Real Housewives of Lagos.
What was once a friendship celebrated publicly has now become a very public disagreement, with neither side appearing ready to accept the other’s version of events.
