Davido, the renowned Nigerian singer, believes that hosting major music events in Nigeria is critical to the continued growth of Afrobeats.
In a recent interview with CNN, the 33-year-old artist discussed his upcoming Lagos residency, explaining that the idea was born from his tour across Africa last year — his first such tour of the continent in eight years.
“Being home has given me so much inspiration,” Davido shared. “It just feels right to do it from where you’re actually from. I never want to take such a long break again from my fans back home.”
Davido is set to headline ‘Oriadé: The Residency’ at the newly renovated National Theatre in Lagos on December 17, 18, and 19, 2026. He revealed that the inspiration for this residency partly came from Bad Bunny’s 30-date run in Puerto Rico in 2025, which impressed him not only with its performances but also with the economic and cultural vibrancy it generated.
The singer hopes that his Lagos residency — featuring songs from across his career and guest appearances from collaborators — will attract visitors to the city and offer many their first real exposure to Lagos. “The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing,” he said. “Talent is like water in Lagos.”
Davido described the National Theatre as a vital part of Nigeria’s entertainment heritage, likening it to New York’s Madison Square Garden. “It’s important to show the world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa,” he remarked. “We’re proving we can do this ourselves.”
While he acknowledged that artists may earn less performing at home than abroad, Davido emphasized the importance of bringing the same ambition and energy to Nigerian audiences. “Everyone gets a hit and runs to America, the UK, or the Middle East to do shows,” he noted. “But bringing everything back home is very important for the culture. We might not get paid as much, but it matters.”
He also encouraged established artists to remember the fans who supported them before international fame. Don’t forget where you started, Davido said. “These are the fans. If not for them, we wouldn’t be here.
