Davido, the Afrobeats star, has come under criticism following his remarks about Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Last week, the singer advised black Americans against relocating to the country, citing bad leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing oil prices.
He shared his thoughts on the struggles bedeviling Nigeria, stating, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles”.
Davido’s comments, however, drew criticism from some Nigerians who accused him of tarnishing the country’s image.
In a Facebook post, Patrick Doyle, the actor, described the singer as “incredibly dense” for asking foreigners not to visit Nigeria.
Doyle argued that Davido’s father has “a $2 billion power generation investment”, and he ought to know better before making such remarks.
On his part, Reno Omokri, former media aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, said Davido “displayed ignorance and a lack of patriotism” with his remarks about Nigeria’s economy.
Omokri urged the ‘Timeless’ hitmaker to learn from Rihanna who promotes and projects Barbados positively to the world.
“It is disappointing for a young man whose uncle is a governor and should, therefore, know better. Davido may have US citizenship, but that does not mean he should de-market Nigeria,” he said on X.
Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that “Nigeria made Davido”. He also asked the singer to retract his statement.
Joining the fray, Akashat Ny’mat, a TVC presenter, said Davido should “hold your truth if it won’t be of service to your people”.
“As Asiwaju is taking a plane to countries to look for foreign investors, Davido is telling them don’t come. He could have made that noise privately but he chose to tell Americans not to come, whereas what we need are foreign investors,” she said.
Davido’s remarks have also sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians on X. While some users agreed with the singer’s opinion, others criticised him.
“Despite his privileges and being an American citizen, Davido represents and promotes Nigeria far more than the clowns insulting him for speaking the truth,” a user wrote.
Another user wrote: “His uncle is among the leaders he was referring to”.
Davido says he can’t show the b@d parts in Nigeria, meanwhile all he did here is de-market the country in this interview? Nigeria is in “shambles”, same Nigeria that his father is building a power plant? Same Nigeria that his uncle is a sitting governor? Same Nigeria that uses to… https://t.co/skECXPBH4S
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) November 23, 2024
Davido has spoken good about Nigeria consistently. He’s sold our culture through his music to the outside world. I believe he’s that patriotic. However, I believe he shouldn’t have dragged the country that way knowing his Uncle, who’s the worst governor of Osun State is guilty 2 pic.twitter.com/9MHza5ti1K
Advertisement— Bae Hunter 🇱🇷 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇳🇬 🇺🇸 (@thebeeperfumery) November 23, 2024
Davido said his truth about the present situation of Nigeria, hunger, economy in shambles, inequality, I wish he added bribery and corruption, political looters. Y’all wanted him to cover una nyash huh?!! Dey play
Isn’t this you? 🫵🏼👇🏽 https://t.co/DTuetbdM7L pic.twitter.com/R1a61lsn0r
— Chioma. Imo princessa 💕👩🏻⚕️💊 💉🩺 (@Chiomabonny) November 24, 2024
Davido is right. The present administration is visionless and anti people. You can’t advice anyone to come and invest only for them to use your capital to purchase submarine for the president and his family pic.twitter.com/yJT697Bps6
— Web Designer 🆗 (@raymytech) November 24, 2024
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