Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has sparked massive conversations worldwide after wearing a custom jacket, transforming a major sports stage into a powerful platform for humanitarian advocacy.
Performing at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert, Davido drew immediate praise and emotional responses online after wearing the custom jacket dedicated to the victims of the recent mass kidnapping in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the custom jacket at the FIFA concert features the names of the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers who were abducted by armed bandits in the Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The custom black leather jacket was highly intentional in its design. It was adorned with dozens of green circular badges, each inscribed with the name of a missing pupil or teacher.
In a somber detail, the names of those still held captive were written in white, while the names of the victims who tragically lost their lives during the initial raid or in captivity were highlighted in red.
Across the back of the jacket, the phrase “BRING THEM HOME” was boldly carved out, ensuring the message was unmissable to millions watching the global broadcast.
Before hitting the stage alongside international stars like Major Lazer, Davido addressed the situation directly in a backstage video clip.
Davido said: “Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed.”
He added: “They still haven’t been rescued; we’re praying to God every day.
“We’re also praying to God that the government hastens, and you know… My country is going through a lot. We represent everywhere we go.”
The performance transformed what was expected to be a routine pre-tournament appearance into a public appeal for the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The FIFA World Cup countdown concert is one of the major events leading to the 2026 tournament and brings together performers from different parts of the world.
Davido was billed as one of the headline acts at the event in the United States, further strengthening his profile as one of Africa’s leading music exports.
His appearance comes shortly after the announcement that he is among the artists featured on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack album.
Fellow Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Rema, and Ayra Starr are also part of the project, which will accompany the tournament build-up and celebrations.
Below are some of the reactions;
