Lagos residency will showcase Africa’s world-class entertainment venues — Davido

Afrobeats star, Davido, says his planned three-night residency at the National Theatre in Lagos will demonstrate that African artistes can stage major global entertainment events from home.

The singer is scheduled to perform at the renovated National Theatre from December 17 to 19, combining songs from his latest album, Oriadé, with some of his biggest hits and appearances from other artistes.

In an interview with CNN, Davido said bringing his international success back to Nigeria was important for the country’s culture and entertainment industry.

“Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture,” he said.

The 34-year-old artiste said the idea was strengthened by his wider African tour last year, which was his first major continental tour in eight years.

He said spending more time at home had given him fresh inspiration and made him determined to maintain a stronger connection with Nigerian audiences.

“Me just being home just gave me so much inspiration,” Davido said, adding that he did not want to repeat the long break from his fans at home.

The singer said his plan was partly inspired by American-Puerto Rican artiste Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025, which attracted visitors and generated economic activity beyond the concert venue.

“It was like a whole tourist attraction,” Davido said. “The country (Puerto Rico) made money, he made money, he promoted his culture.”

Davido said he hoped the Lagos residency would similarly attract visitors to Nigeria, particularly during the December festive period when Nigerians in the diaspora and international tourists converge on Lagos for concerts and other entertainment events.

“The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing,” he said. “Talent is like water in Lagos.”

The singer also highlighted the significance of the National Theatre, describing the venue as an important part of Nigeria’s entertainment history.

“It’s like our own MSG (Madison Square Garden) kind of thing,” he said.

Davido said staging the residency at the venue would help showcase Nigeria’s entertainment infrastructure to an international audience.

“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.”

He also said the global growth of Afrobeats had created opportunities for African artistes to perform around the world, but argued that international success should be complemented by major events at home.

According to him, artists often leave Nigeria for the United States, United Kingdom and Middle East after achieving international recognition, but returning home can strengthen the local entertainment ecosystem.

Davido acknowledged that overseas performances can attract higher fees but said major productions in Nigeria could still create jobs and economic opportunities.

He also urged younger artistes to remain connected to the audiences who supported them before they achieved international recognition.

“Don’t forget where you started,” he said. “These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here.”

The planned residency is among the notable multi-night residencies by an Afrobeats artiste in Nigeria, with Adekunle Gold having staged a smaller Lagos residency in 2018.