Afrobeat singer, Davido has defended his decision to wear pins bearing the names of 39 abducted children and seven teachers during his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert, saying Nigeria’s image should never come before the safety of innocent children.

Speaking in an interview with Focus on Africa host Waihiga Mwaura, shared on Sunday, the Grammy nominated Afrobeats star said he used his global platform to draw attention to the victims because they are still missing.

“A lot of people don’t really want to talk about what goes on in my country simply because they want to protect the image, but there’s no image to protect if little kids are being kidnapped,” Davido said.

He explained that although he was honoured to perform at the World Cup event, he believed it was equally important to highlight the security challenges facing Nigeria.Africans & Diaspora

“As much as I was happy to do the World Cup, we also have to understand that there are things going on back home in our country, which we have the power to let the world know through our own means,” he said.

Davido added that music and live performances give him a platform to amplify issues affecting Nigerians.

“When I say our own means, where’s my power? My power is in music, performances. We have these students that have been missing, still not found. So yeah, I use my platform to project what’s really going on,” he said.

Davido first drew attention to the case during the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles in June, where he wore a custom jacket with the message “Bring Them Home” and pins displaying the names of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The gesture drew praise from some Nigerians, while others criticised him for highlighting the country’s insecurity on a global stage.

The victims were abducted in May when gunmen attacked schools in the Ahoro Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area. The attack involved 39 pupils and seven teachers. One of the teachers was later reported to have died in captivity, while the remaining victims are yet to be rescued.

Afrobeat singer, Davido has defended his decision to wear pins bearing the names of 39 abducted children and seven teachers during his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert, saying Nigeria’s image should never come before the safety of innocent children.

Speaking in an interview with Focus on Africa host Waihiga Mwaura, shared on Sunday, the Grammy nominated Afrobeats star said he used his global platform to draw attention to the victims because they are still missing.

“A lot of people don’t really want to talk about what goes on in my country simply because they want to protect the image, but there’s no image to protect if little kids are being kidnapped,” Davido said.

He explained that although he was honoured to perform at the World Cup event, he believed it was equally important to highlight the security challenges facing Nigeria.Africans & Diaspora

“As much as I was happy to do the World Cup, we also have to understand that there are things going on back home in our country, which we have the power to let the world know through our own means,” he said.

Davido added that music and live performances give him a platform to amplify issues affecting Nigerians.

“When I say our own means, where’s my power? My power is in music, performances. We have these students that have been missing, still not found. So yeah, I use my platform to project what’s really going on,” he said.

Davido first drew attention to the case during the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles in June, where he wore a custom jacket with the message “Bring Them Home” and pins displaying the names of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The gesture drew praise from some Nigerians, while others criticised him for highlighting the country’s insecurity on a global stage.

The victims were abducted in May when gunmen attacked schools in the Ahoro Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area. The attack involved 39 pupils and seven teachers. One of the teachers was later reported to have died in captivity, while the remaining victims are yet to be rescued.