Nigerian Afrobeats artist and songwriter, Davido, used his appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on June 10 to draw attention to the ongoing kidnapping crisis in Nigeria.
Performing at the event hosted at the Crypto.com Arena, Davido wore a custom-designed outfit that carried a message calling for the safe return of victims abducted during an attack in Oyo State. Created in collaboration with his stylist, Hollyandroo, the ensemble featured a black leather jacket, matching leather trousers and a leather cap.
The look incorporated symbolic elements referencing both Nigerian identity and a broader message of peace. A custom T-shirt featured a peace sign in the colours of the Nigerian flag, while the front of the jacket displayed 49 pins bearing the names of schoolchildren and teachers reportedly abducted during the Oyo incident. On the back of the jacket, the words “Bring Them Home” were emblazoned in white script.
The appearance comes as concerns over kidnappings and insecurity continue to dominate public discourse in Nigeria, with schoolchildren among those frequently targeted in mass abductions in recent years.
Davido’s decision to use the international platform provided by the FIFA World Cup countdown event reflects a growing trend among African artists who are leveraging their global visibility to raise awareness of social and political issues affecting their communities.
Widely regarded as one of the leading figures in the global rise of Afrobeats, Davido has built an international following through a career spanning more than a decade. With over 30 million followers on Instagram, he remains one of the most influential African musicians on social media.
Earlier this year, the artist completed his 42-date 5IVE ALIVE Tour, which took place across 12 countries and four continents. The tour included his debut performance at the Coachella music festival. He also recently contributed to the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album with the track No Place Like Home, a collaboration with Major Lazer and Nelly Furtado.
As preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Davido’s appearance served as both a musical performance and a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing communities across Nigeria.
