Afrobeats star Davido says his planned three-night residency in Lagos will demonstrate that African artists can create global music moments at home while boosting the local economy and promoting Nigerian culture.
CNN reported on Monday that the singer will hold the residency at the National Theatre in Lagos from December 17 to 19, blending performances from his latest album, “Oriadé,” with his biggest hits and appearances from collaborators.
“Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture,” Davido told CNN.
The 34-year-old said the idea gained momentum after touring Africa last year, his first wider continental tour in eight years. “Me just being home just gave me so much inspiration,” he said. “This kind of feels better doing it from where you’re actually from.” He added, “I don’t ever want to take that kind of break again away from my fans back home.”
Davido said part of his vision was inspired by Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025, which drew international visitors and generated activity beyond the venue. “It was like a whole tourist attraction,” he said. “The country made money, he made money, he promoted his culture.”
He hopes his Lagos residency can similarly draw international fans, particularly during December when the diaspora and foreign visitors converge on Lagos for “Detty December” festivities. “The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing,” he said. “Talent is like water in Lagos.”
He said the newly renovated National Theatre was central to the plan because of its place in Nigeria’s entertainment history, comparing it to New York’s Madison Square Garden. “It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well,” he said. “We’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves.”
Davido said Afrobeats’ global growth had opened doors for African musicians internationally, but argued overseas success shouldn’t come at the expense of audiences at home. “Everybody’s going to get a hit and run to America, run to the UK, run to the Middle East and do shows,” he said. “But I feel like bringing everything back home is very important for the culture.”
He acknowledged artists may earn more overseas but said major productions at home could still create local opportunities. “We might not get paid as much as we get paid overseas,” he said, while stressing that artists could bring the same energy to Nigerian audiences and create local jobs.
He also urged younger artists to remember their earliest supporters. “Don’t forget where you started,” he said. “These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here.”
The Lagos residency is among the first of its kind for an Afrobeats artist in Nigeria, following a smaller residency held by Adekunle Gold in Lagos in 2018.
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