By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido used his appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles to draw international attention to the plight of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The Grammy-nominated singer performed on Wednesday at the Crypto.com Arena wearing a jacket bearing the names of the abducted victims, bringing global visibility to the ongoing security crisis affecting schools in the state.
Davido shared the stage with Major Lazer, the electronic music group founded by Diplo, as well as singer America Foster, during the concert attended by fans from across the world.
The event formed part of FIFA’s multinational countdown celebrations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with simultaneous concerts held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Davido’s gesture comes amid widespread concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers following attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. Armed bandits reportedly kidnapped several pupils and teachers, including a vice-principal, while one teacher was killed during the attack and another later died in captivity.
The incident sparked national outrage, prompting solidarity protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers and an indefinite strike by teachers in Oyo State.
The concert appearance is the latest in a series of public interventions by the singer on insecurity in Nigeria. In a recent post on X, Davido expressed concern over the rising wave of kidnappings and urged entertainers to use their platforms to speak out against the crisis.
His remarks generated reactions from several Nigerian celebrities, including actress and content creator Kiekie, comedian and filmmaker AY Makun, and Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage.
As calls for stronger government action on insecurity continue to grow, Davido’s message at the global event further amplified concerns over the safety of schools and communities across Nigeria.
The performance also reinforces Davido’s longstanding relationship with FIFA. In 2022, he featured on Hayya Hayya (Better Together), the first official soundtrack of the Qatar World Cup, and later performed at the tournament’s closing ceremony.
Nigeria’s music industry is expected to play a prominent role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup celebrations. Nigerian singer Rema has been listed among performers for the tournament’s opening ceremony alongside international stars including Katy Perry, J Balvin, Lisa, and Tyla.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy has contributed to the tournament through his collaboration with Colombian superstar Shakira on Dai Dai, the official anthem of the competition.
With Davido headlining FIFA’s countdown concert, Rema set to perform at the opening ceremony, and Burna Boy featured on the tournament’s anthem, Nigerian music continues to gain global prominence as the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
