Davido Explains Why He Highlighted Oyo School Kidnapping at FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony

Afrobeats superstar Davido has defended his decision to spotlight Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, saying the safety of innocent citizens is more important than protecting the country’s image.

The award-winning singer revealed that he deliberately used the global stage to draw attention to the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, insisting that the tragedy deserved worldwide attention.

As part of the awareness campaign, Davido wore a specially designed outfit displaying the names of the missing victims during his performance. The gesture was intended to keep the plight of the abducted pupils in the global spotlight and encourage greater public concern over their continued captivity.

Speaking in a recent interview, the singer criticised what he described as the reluctance of some influential Nigerians to openly address the country’s growing security challenges because of concerns about national reputation.

“A lot of people do not want to talk about what is happening in my country because they want to protect a lot of images. Which image is there to protect if little children are being kidnapped?” Davido said.

He argued that no country’s image should take precedence over the lives of vulnerable citizens, maintaining that silence in the face of injustice only worsens the crisis.

Davido said performing at one of the world’s biggest sporting events was a rare privilege, but he believed it also came with the responsibility to amplify the voices of people who cannot speak for themselves.

The Afrobeats star added that artists and other public figures should not shy away from speaking out on humanitarian and security issues, especially when children and other vulnerable groups are affected.

At the time of his comments, the abducted pupils and their teachers were still being held captive, with security agencies continuing efforts to secure their release.