In November 2021, Davido posted his bank account details on social media and jokingly asked his friends to send him money for his birthday. By the end of the week, the total had passed 200 million naira.
Davido, born David Adedeji Adeleke in 1992, is one of Nigeria’s biggest pop stars, known for hits such as “Dami Duro”, “Fall”, “If” and “Unavailable”. He comes from a wealthy family: his father, Adedeji Adeleke, is a businessman, and his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, became governor of Osun State.
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The business
In 2016 Davido founded his own label, Davido Music Worldwide, known as DMW, which signed artists including Mayorkun. His albums A Good Time in 2019 and A Better Time in 2020 kept him among the biggest names in Afrobeats, with collaborations spanning Nigeria, Britain and the United States.
The birthday challenge
Davido, who turned 29 on 21 November 2021, challenged celebrity friends and fans to send money. Musicians, actors, business people and fans responded, and screenshots of transfers spread online. Within a few days, the total exceeded 200 million naira.
Many Nigerians joked that a rich man was asking for money. The joke turned when Davido announced his plan.
The donation
Davido said he would donate the money to orphanages across Nigeria, and he added his own money to bring the total to 250 million naira. He set up a committee to distribute the funds, and orphanages across the country received donations.
The move was widely praised. Fans noted the contrast with frequent complaints about wealthy celebrities and politicians who display wealth while ignoring the poor.
Criticism
Some people questioned the transparency of the distribution, and others argued that charity should not replace government responsibility. Davido’s team published lists of beneficiary homes.
A difficult year
In 2022, Davido suffered a family tragedy when his son died in an accident at home. He withdrew from public life for months. In 2023, he returned with the album Timeless, which became one of his most successful projects and earned Grammy nominations.
Giving
The 2021 donation remains one of the most talked-about acts of celebrity giving in Nigeria. It encouraged others to support orphanages and charities.
He asked for money as a joke. He ended up redistributing it, with interest, to children who had never met him.
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