Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, used a global platform on Wednesday to draw attention to the plight of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State, calling for their safe return during his appearance at a FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert.
The award-winning singer turned a high-profile entertainment event into a moment of advocacy when he stepped onto the stage wearing a customised jacket bearing the names of the victims and the message, “Bring Them Home.” The symbolic gesture quickly captured the attention of concertgoers and generated widespread discussion across social media platforms around the world.
His appearance followed the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, a development that has continued to provoke concern and outrage across Nigeria. Reports also indicate that one teacher lost his life during the attack.
The black leather jacket worn by the singer featured green circular badges carrying the names of the abducted victims. According to reports, the design differentiated between those still being held captive and those who had died, with the names of deceased victims displayed in red while those yet to regain their freedom appeared in white.
The inscription, “Bring Them Home”, was boldly displayed on the back of the jacket, while the front was complemented by a white shirt emblazoned with the word “Nigeria.”
Shortly before taking the stage, Davido offered prayers for the affected families and voiced concern over the continued captivity of the victims.
“May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed,” the singer said, as he called for intensified efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Images and videos from the event rapidly gained traction online, sparking reactions from Nigerians and members of the international community. Many praised the artiste for using one of the world’s most visible entertainment platforms to draw attention to a humanitarian crisis affecting communities in Nigeria.
Commentators described the gesture as an expression of solidarity with the affected families, while others viewed it as a call for authorities to strengthen efforts aimed at rescuing the victims and tackling the broader security challenges confronting parts of the country.
The intervention introduced a sombre note to activities surrounding the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By carrying the names of the victims onto a global stage, Davido helped keep public attention fixed on families still waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.
The performance also underscored the increasingly prominent role of Nigerian entertainers in leveraging their international influence to bring social and humanitarian issues into global conversations. As discussions generated by the concert continued online, the message conveyed by the singer remained unmistakable: the abducted pupils and teachers must remain in the public consciousness until they are safely reunited with their families.