NATIONAL THEATRE RESIDENCY WILL PROVE AFRICA HAS WORLD-CLASS VENUES — DAVIDO

Afrobeats star Davido says his planned three-night residency at the National Theatre in Lagos will demonstrate that African artists can create major global entertainment moments from home while contributing to the local economy and promoting Nigerian culture.

The singer is scheduled to perform at the National Theatre from December 17 to 19, with the residency featuring songs from his latest album, “Oriadé,” alongside some of his biggest hits and appearances from other collaborators.

Speaking to CNN, Davido said bringing his international success back to Nigeria was important for the country’s culture.

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

The 34-year-old explained that the idea became stronger after he toured Africa last year, marking his first major continental tour in eight years.

He said returning home gave him fresh inspiration and made him realise the importance of performing for audiences in Nigeria.

Davido also said he did not want to spend another extended period away from his fans at home.

He noted that part of his inspiration came from Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025, which attracted tourists and generated economic activity beyond the concerts.

According to Davido, the residency showed how a major music event could benefit an entire country by attracting visitors, generating revenue and promoting local culture.

He hopes his Lagos residency will have a similar effect, particularly during December when Nigerians in the diaspora and international visitors travel to Lagos for concerts and other entertainment activities associated with “Detty December.”

Davido described Lagos as a city filled with exceptional creative talent, saying, “Talent is like water in Lagos.”

The singer said the newly renovated National Theatre was central to his plans because of its significance in Nigeria’s entertainment history.

Comparing the venue to New York’s Madison Square Garden, Davido said the National Theatre represented an important opportunity to show the world that Africa has facilities capable of hosting major international productions.

“It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well,” he said.

Davido said the global growth of Afrobeats had created more opportunities for African musicians to perform internationally, but stressed that overseas success should not mean neglecting audiences at home.

He observed that many artists travel to the United States, United Kingdom and Middle East after achieving international recognition, but said bringing major performances back to Nigeria remains important for the culture.

The singer acknowledged that artists may earn more from international shows but argued that staging major productions in Nigeria could still create jobs and provide opportunities for people within the local entertainment industry.

Davido also advised younger musicians to remember the fans who supported them before they became internationally recognised.

“Don’t forget where you started,” he said, noting that the support of Nigerian audiences had played an important role in the careers of many African artists.

CNN reported that the Lagos residency is among the first major residencies of its kind for an Afrobeats artist in Nigeria, with Adekunle Gold having held a smaller residency in Lagos in 2018.