Davido Plans Three-Night Lagos Residency to Showcase Nigerian Culture and Boost Local Economy

Afrobeats star Davido says his planned three-night residency in Lagos is designed to prove that African artists can create major global music moments from home while supporting local businesses and showcasing Nigerian culture.

The singer will perform at the National Theatre in Lagos from December 17 to 19, combining songs from his latest album, Oriadé, with some of his biggest hits and appearances from other artists, according to CNN.

Davido said returning his international success to Nigeria was important to him after spending years performing for audiences around the world.

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

The 34-year-old singer said the idea gathered momentum after his wider African tour last year, his first continental tour in eight years. He said being back home provided fresh inspiration and strengthened his desire to reconnect with Nigerian fans.

“I don’t ever want to take that kind of break again away from my fans back home,” Davido said.

He also pointed to Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025 as an example of how a major music event can generate benefits beyond the concert itself. According to Davido, the residency attracted visitors, generated economic activity and helped promote Puerto Rican culture.

He hopes his Lagos shows can have a similar effect, particularly during December’s busy festive season, when Nigerians in the diaspora and international visitors travel to Lagos for concerts and other entertainment events associated with Detty December.

Davido also sees the renovated National Theatre as central to the project. He compared the venue with New York’s Madison Square Garden and said the residency would demonstrate that Nigeria has facilities capable of hosting major international-standard productions.

“We’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves,” he said.

The singer acknowledged that Afrobeats’ global rise has created lucrative opportunities for African artists overseas but argued that international success should not mean abandoning audiences at home. He said major productions staged in Nigeria could create jobs and generate opportunities across the local entertainment and hospitality sectors.

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

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

The Lagos residency is expected to be one of the first major multi-night residencies by an Afrobeats star in Nigeria. Adekunle Gold previously held a smaller Lagos residency in 2018.