Photo Credit: Getty Images
After 15 years of taking Afrobeats to audiences around the world, Nigerian superstar Davido is turning his attention toward bringing the world to Lagos.
The singer is set to host a three night residency at Lagos' National Theatre from December 17 to 19, an event that will celebrate his latest album, Oriadé, his biggest hits and a career that has developed alongside the international rise of Afrobeats.
For Davido, however, the residency represents more than a celebration of his musical journey. He sees it as an opportunity to demonstrate that African artists can create major international entertainment experiences from home without having to leave the continent to achieve global recognition.
"Bringing everything back home is very important for the culture," Davido said.
The idea developed after the singer toured Africa last year. Although he had continued performing in Nigeria, the wider continental tour was his first in eight years. Returning to African audiences, he said, provided inspiration and reinforced his desire to remain connected to fans at home.
Davido's vision was also influenced by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny's 30 date residency in Puerto Rico in 2025. Rather than focusing solely on the concerts, Davido observed how the residency attracted visitors, generated economic activity and placed Puerto Rican culture at the centre of an international entertainment experience.
"It was like a whole tourist attraction," Davido said, explaining that the country benefited financially while its culture received international attention.
He hopes to create a similar experience in Lagos, a city that already attracts thousands of visitors during December's festive season. Known popularly as "Detty December," the period brings together Nigerians living abroad, international visitors and local audiences for concerts, parties and cultural events.
Davido believes his residency can add another attraction to the city's busy calendar, particularly for people who have never visited Lagos.
The concerts will take place at the newly renovated National Theatre, which Davido considers an important part of Nigeria's entertainment history. He compared its cultural significance to Madison Square Garden in New York.
The residency is also notable because large scale artist residencies remain relatively uncommon in Nigeria. Adekunle Gold held a smaller Lagos residency in 2018.
Davido believes the event could demonstrate what African entertainment facilities and artists can accomplish without depending entirely on overseas venues.
He also sees an economic dimension to the decision. Although international performances can generate higher earnings, Davido argues that bringing major shows home can create employment and direct more activity toward the local economy.
As Afrobeats continues gaining international recognition, his message to emerging artists remains connected to the fans who supported them before global success.
"Don't forget where you started," he said, urging artists to remember the audiences that helped build their careers.
For Davido, the Lagos residency is therefore both a musical homecoming and an attempt to make home itself part of the global Afrobeats experience.
