Davido National Theatre residency from 17 to 19 December will mix Oriadé with hits, the singer told CNN, to show Africa has world-class venues
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, known as Davido, told CNN that his Davido National Theatre residency in Lagos from 17 to 19 December was meant to prove African artists can stage global nights at home, lift the local economy and push Nigerian culture.
CNN said the three shows will draw on his album Oriadé, older hits and guests. David Adeleke, 34, said bringing that success back to Nigeria mattered. “Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture.” The plan grew after an African tour last year, his first wide continental run in eight years. “Me just being home just gave me so much inspiration. This kind of feels better doing it from where you’re actually from.” He added, “I don’t ever want to take that kind of break again away from my fans back home.”
He pointed to Bad Bunny’s 30-date 2025 residency in Puerto Rico, which pulled visitors beyond the hall. “It was like a whole tourist attraction. The country (Puerto Rico) made money, he made money, he promoted his culture.” He wants a similar pull in Lagos in December, when diaspora and foreign guests already arrive for Detty December. “The talent in Lagos is mind-blowing. Talent is like water in Lagos.”
The renovated National Theatre is central because of its history. “It’s like our own MSG (Madison Square Garden) kind of thing. It’s very important that we show the outside world that we have these kinds of facilities in Africa as well. We’re really showing people that we can do this ourselves.”
David Adeleke said Afrobeats now books America, the UK and the Middle East, but home crowds should not be left behind. “Everybody’s going to get a hit and run to America, run to the UK, run to the Middle East and do shows. But I feel like bringing everything back home is very important for the culture.” Fees may be lower than abroad, he said, yet the same production can still create local work. “Don’t forget where you started. These are the fans. If not for these fans, we wouldn’t be here.”
CNN said the run is among the first Afrobeats residencies of this scale in Nigeria, after a smaller Lagos residency by Adekunle Gold in 2018. Tickets and the full guest list were not in the report.
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