Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido on Wednesday drew global attention to the plight of abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers by wearing a jacket bearing their names during his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles.
The Grammy-nominated artist performed alongside America Foster, Major Lazer, and Diplo at the Crypto.com Arena. The event was one of three simultaneous FIFA Countdown Concerts held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico ahead of the World Cup.
Davido’s performance came against the backdrop of a tragic incident in Oyo State, where armed bandits attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026, abducting pupils and teachers. One teacher was killed during the attack, while another abducted teacher was later killed by the abductors.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers staging solidarity protests and teachers in Oyo State embarking on an indefinite strike.
The concert was not the first time the Afrobeats star has lent his voice to the security situation in Nigeria. In a recent post on his X handle, the singer lamented the rising wave of kidnappings and urged other entertainers to use their platforms to speak out.
“I’m weak. God, please take control; we can’t continue like this… My heart goes out to the victims and families… I can’t lie, we entertainers, including me, need to speak up,” he wrote.
His comments sparked wider reactions from celebrities including content creator Kiekie, comedian AY Makun, and Tiwa Savage.
Davido’s appearance at the FIFA concert adds another milestone to his long-standing 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.
He is not the only Nigerian artist featured in FIFA’s World Cup build-up. Rema has been listed among performers for the tournament’s opening ceremony alongside global stars including Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, J Balvin, Lisa of Blackpink, and South African artist Tyla.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy has already made his mark on the tournament after collaborating with Colombian superstar Shakira on “Dai Dai,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Released under Sony Music Latin and FIFA, the song blends Afrobeats and Latin pop, carrying a message of unity and global football culture.
With Davido headlining FIFA’s countdown concert, Rema performing at the opening ceremonies, and Burna Boy lending his voice to the tournament’s anthem, Nigeria’s music industry is set to enjoy significant visibility as the world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
