July 6, (THEWILL) — Afrobeats star, Davido, has defended his decision to highlight Nigeria’s security crisis on the global stage, saying the country’s image should never come before the safety of children.
During a 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown event in Los Angeles, Davido wore a custom black leather jacket with the words “BRING THEM HOME” on the back. The jacket was decorated with pins bearing the names of thirty-nine schoolchildren and seven teachers who were abducted by gunmen in May 2026.
Speaking in an interview with BBC’s Focus on Africa, shared on Sunday, July 5, the singer explained why he used the performance to draw attention to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
Responding to criticism that he was damaging Nigeria’s image, Davido said: “A lot of people don’t really want to talk about what goes on in my country simply because they want to protect the image, but there’s no image to protect if little kids are being kidnapped.
“As much as I was happy to do the World Cup, we also have to understand that there are things going on back home in our country, which we have the power to let the world know through our own means.”
Davido said music and live performances are his way of raising awareness about issues affecting Nigerians, especially while the victims remain missing.
His decision received mixed reactions, with many praising him for using his platform to speak out about insecurity, while others argued that the message could hurt Nigeria’s image abroad.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
