Afrobeats star Davido is set to host a three-night residency at the National Theatre, Lagos,from December 17 to 19, aiming to attract international visitors and showcase Nigeria’s music, culture and entertainment industry.
The residency, which marks 15 years of Davido’s career, will feature songs from his latest album, Oriadé, his biggest hits and appearances from some of his collaborators.
The singer says the event is designed to demonstrate that African artists can create global music experiences from home while supporting local jobs and tourism. “Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture,” Davido told CNN.
The 34-year-old singer said the idea developed after he toured Africa last year, marking his first wider continental tour in eight years.
Although he has continued performing in Nigeria, the experience renewed his appreciation for connecting with audiences across the continent.
“Me just being home just gave me so much inspiration. This kind of feels better doing it from where you’re actually from I don’t ever want to take that kind of break again away from my fans back home,” he added.
Davido said his vision for the Lagos residency was partly inspired by Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025.
Beyond the performances, Davido was impressed by the wider economic and tourism impact of the event, which attracted visitors and promoted Puerto Rican culture.
Also Read: Davido unveils Oriadé ahead of Friday release
“It was like a whole tourist attraction, the country made money, he made money, he promoted his culture. So that’s kind of where my head is at,” he said.
Lagos already attracts tourists and members of the Nigerian diaspora during December through concerts, parties and other entertainment events associated with the festive season known as “Detty December.”
Davido hopes the residency will provide an additional reason for international fans to visit Lagos while introducing the city to people who have never been there.
The residency will take place at the newly renovated National Theatre, which Davido described as an important part of Nigeria’s entertainment history.
“It’s like our own Madison Square Garden kind of thing,” he said, comparing the venue’s cultural significance to the renowned New York arena.
Davido said hosting the shows at the National Theatre would also highlight Africa’s capacity to stage major international-standard entertainment events.
“It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well, we’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves,” he said.
The residency is among the first of its kind for an Afrobeats artist in Nigeria. Adekunle Gold previously held a smaller residency in Lagos in 2018.
Reflecting on Afrobeats’ international growth, Davido said the genre’s global success had created opportunities for African artists to perform for audiences around the world. However, he stressed the importance of continuing to invest in local audiences and the communities that support artists’ careers.
“Everybody’s going to get a hit and run to America, run to the UK, run to the Middle East and do shows, but I feel like bringing everything back home is very important for the culture.”
Although artists may earn more from international performances, Davido said bringing similar energy and ambition to shows in Nigeria could create employment opportunities and support the local economy.
He also urged emerging artists to remain connected to the audiences who supported them before they gained international recognition. “Don’t forget where you started. These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here,” he said.
CNN
