Afrobeats superstar Davido used the global spotlight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert to draw attention to the plight of abducted students and teachers from Oyo State, transforming his performance into a powerful advocacy campaign for justice and rescue efforts.
The singer took to the stage in the United States on Wednesday wearing a specially designed outfit dedicated to the victims of the recent abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A backstage video that quickly gained traction on social media revealed the symbolic details of the attire. Davido wore a white T-shirt emblazoned with “NIGERIA” beneath a black leather jacket bearing the inscription “BRING THEM HOME” across the back.
The jacket was further adorned with green circular badges displaying the names of the kidnapped victims. Names of those still in captivity were written in white, while those who lost their lives were marked in red, creating a poignant visual tribute that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Using his platform as one of Africa’s most influential entertainers, Davido called for urgent action to secure the release of those still being held and expressed solidarity with affected families.
“Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed,” the singer said shortly before his performance.
“They still haven’t been rescued; we’re praying to God every day. We’re also praying to God that the government hastens. My country is going through a lot. We represent everywhere we go.”
His gesture has since drawn widespread attention online, with many praising the artiste for leveraging an international event to spotlight Nigeria’s security challenges and advocate for victims whose stories might otherwise remain unheard.
Comments