Afrobeats sensation Davido has explained the motivation behind his decision to draw global attention to Nigeria’s escalating kidnapping crisis during his appearance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup, saying the protection of lives must come before concerns about the country’s image.

The singer said he deliberately used the international platform to highlight the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, a tragedy that has continued to spark concern across the country.

To underscore his message, Davido appeared on stage wearing a specially designed outfit featuring the names of the missing victims. The gesture was intended to raise international awareness and keep attention focused on the fate of those still in captivity.

Speaking in a recent interview, the award-winning musician criticised what he described as the reluctance of some prominent figures to openly address Nigeria’s security challenges. He argued that efforts to preserve the nation’s reputation should never outweigh the need to speak out against injustices affecting innocent citizens.

“A lot of people do not want to talk about what is happening in my country because they want to protect a lot of images. Which image is there to protect if little children are being kidnapped?” he said.

Davido stressed that human lives are more important than public relations considerations, insisting that silence is not an option when vulnerable people are suffering.

He noted that while performing on one of the world’s biggest stages was a significant honour, he felt a responsibility to use the opportunity to advocate for those whose voices are often unheard.

According to him, artists and public figures have a duty to speak out on humanitarian and security issues, particularly when the lives of children and other vulnerable groups are at risk.

At the time of his comments, the abducted pupils and their teachers had not been rescued, with efforts to secure their release still ongoing.