Afrobeats star Davido has explained why he chose to highlight Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis during his performance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, saying the safety of citizens is more important than protecting the country’s image.
The singer said he used the global stage to draw attention to the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State.
As part of the awareness campaign, Davido wore a specially designed outfit featuring the names of the abducted victims to keep international attention focused on the incident.
Speaking in a recent interview, the award-winning artiste criticised what he described as the unwillingness of some influential figures to openly address the country’s security challenges.
According to him, efforts to preserve Nigeria’s image should never outweigh the need to speak out when innocent lives are at risk.
Davido argued that there is little value in protecting the country’s reputation while children continue to be kidnapped, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of citizens should remain the top priority.
He added that performing on one of the world’s biggest stages came with a responsibility to amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves.
The singer maintained that celebrities and other public figures have a duty to use their platforms to draw attention to humanitarian and security issues, particularly when vulnerable members of society are affected.
At the time he made the remarks, the abducted pupils and their teachers were still being held in captivity.
BACKSTORY:
The remarks come amid growing concern over the spate of kidnappings across Nigeria, particularly the abduction of schoolchildren in several parts of the country. In recent years, mass kidnappings from schools and communities have become a recurring security challenge, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger government action. The issue has also attracted international attention, with celebrities, civil society groups and human rights advocates increasingly using global platforms to demand the safe return of victims and highlight the country’s security situation. Davido’s comments reflect the broader debate over whether public figures should use high-profile international events to draw attention to pressing national issues, even if doing so exposes Nigeria’s security challenges to a global audience.
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