Hip hop/Afrobeat artiste, David Adeleke aka Davido has responded to the backlash from TVC presenter, Akashat Nymat, following his remarks on the state of Africa’s economy during an appearance on the US podcast, The Big Homies House.
In the interview, Davido warned Black Americans against relocating to Africa, citing economic difficulties on the continent.
He clarified that his intent was not to disparage Africa but to highlight only select positive aspects while avoiding the realities of the slums.
The remarks sparked reactions from notable figures like Reno Omokri, broadcaster and actor Patrick Doyle and Nymat who accused Davido of being unpatriotic.
They argued that his comments painted Africa in a negative light, contrary to the continent’s potential.
In response, Davido took to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday with what many perceived as a mocking reply.
He tagged TVC News saying, “Lmao @tvcnewsng nah today??”
In a follow-up post, he declared himself a true representative of Africa, suggesting the criticism stemmed from his status. “Y’all mad ’cus we the Real AMBASSADORS!!”
Davido also expressed satisfaction with his performance on the podcast, praising his own accent, “The way my accent be for that interview Dey sweet me—very demure.”
Recall that Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, criticized Davido’s comments, describing them as lacking patriotism.
Omokri cited the success of Wizkid’s new album Morayo which recently broke streaming records on Spotify Nigeria, to counter Davido’s bleak depiction of Africa’s economy.
He urged the singer to emulate American star Rihanna, who has consistently promoted her home country, Barbados.
Echoing Omokri’s sentiments, Nymat had questioned Davido’s contributions to Nigeria, contrasting him with American celebrities who, she claimed rarely criticize their homeland to international audiences.
She advised Davido to exercise caution when speaking about Nigeria, a country that has fueled his rise to fame.
However, Davido did receive support from industry executive Paulo Okoye, who defended the singer’s statements as a reflection of Nigeria’s challenging economic situation.
Okoye pointed to the exodus of global companies and local businesses’ struggles as evidence of the country’s difficulties. He urged Nigerians to confront the nation’s issues with honesty while striving for a brighter future.