Afrobeats superstar Davido turned his appearance at the official 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert into a powerful call for action, using the global stage to draw attention to the plight of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.
The award-winning singer, whose real name is David Adeleke, took to the stage on Wednesday in a specially designed outfit dedicated to the victims of the recent abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Ahead of his performance, Davido was seen wearing a black leather jacket decorated with green circular badges bearing the names of the kidnapped pupils and teachers.
The names of those still being held captive appeared in white lettering, while those who reportedly lost their lives during the incident were highlighted in red.
The emotional tribute also featured the message “BRING THEM HOME” boldly printed on the back of the jacket, while the singer paired the outfit with a white T-shirt emblazoned with the word “NIGERIA.”
In a backstage video that quickly went viral on social media, Davido used the opportunity to express solidarity with the affected families and call for urgent intervention from authorities.
“Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed,” he said.
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“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 remarks resonated with many Nigerians online, who praised the singer for using one of football’s biggest international events to amplify concerns about insecurity and the safety of schoolchildren in the country.
The concert marked a major milestone in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Davido was among the headline performers selected for the global event, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s leading musical exports.
The performance also comes after FIFA announced that Davido would feature on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack alongside fellow Nigerian music stars Burna Boy, Rema and Ayra Starr.
By transforming his World Cup appearance into an advocacy campaign, Davido brought international attention to the ongoing plight of the abducted pupils and teachers, urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release while reminding the world of the security challenges confronting Nigeria.