Afrobeats superstar Davido has announced his upcoming three-night residency at the National Theatre in Lagos, scheduled to take place from December 17 to 19. The event will feature songs from his latest album, Oriadé, as well as his biggest hits and performances from selected collaborators. Davido expressed the importance of bringing his international achievements back home to Nigeria, citing the cultural significance of showcasing African artists' ability to stage major, international-standard events on home soil.
According to Davido, his decision to hold the residency in Nigeria was strengthened by his African tour last year, which marked his first extensive continental tour in eight years. He stated that being back home gave him inspiration and that doing the residency from where he's from feels better. Davido also emphasized the importance of not taking an extended period away from his Nigerian audience, saying he doesn't want to take that kind of break again.
Davido pointed to Bad Bunny's 2025 residency in Puerto Rico as an example of how a music event can contribute to tourism and the wider economy. He noted that the residency attracted visitors and promoted the country beyond the concerts themselves, with Puerto Rico benefiting economically and Bad Bunny promoting his culture. Davido hopes his Lagos residency will have a similar effect by attracting visitors to the city during the December festive period.
The Nigerian star praised the depth of creative talent in Lagos, describing it as "mind-blowing" and comparing talent to water in the city. He also expressed his admiration for the recently renovated National Theatre, likening it to the Madison Square Garden in the United States. Davido stressed the importance of showcasing the venue and Nigeria's capacity to host large-scale entertainment events to a global audience.
Davido emphasized that while Afrobeats has created opportunities for African artists to perform internationally, musicians should maintain strong connections with audiences at home. He encouraged artists not to forget where they started and to bring their international achievements back home to support the local entertainment industry. Davido also urged emerging musicians to stay connected to their supporters who backed them before they gained international recognition.
The Lagos residency is expected to be one of the notable Afrobeats concert events at the National Theatre, following in the footsteps of Adekunle Gold's smaller Lagos residency in 2018. Davido's event aims to create opportunities for people in the local entertainment industry and showcase Africa's world-class venues. He believes that major productions in Nigeria can be just as successful as international performances.
Davido's residency at the National Theatre will not only promote his music but also contribute to Nigeria's entertainment landscape. With the event expected to attract visitors and promote the city, Davido is confident that it will be a success and showcase Africa's ability to host large-scale events. The residency is set to take place from December 17 to 19, and fans are eagerly anticipating the event.
Key points
- Davido to headline three-night ‘Oriadé’ residency concert at Nigeria's National Theatre
- The event aims to showcase Africa's world-class venues and promote Nigeria's entertainment industry
- The residency is expected to attract visitors and contribute to the local economy during the December festive period
