₦airaland Forum

“Please, you all should leave Davido alone, mad people. Davido spoke the truth. Nigeria's current economic state is so bad…”

Prominent Nigerian entertainers have rallied behind their colleague, Davido, to address the economic challenges Nigerians are enduring under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Music executive Paulo Okoye, rapper Ruggedman, Tiwa Savage, Kiekie, Tacha, and other celebrities voiced their concerns after Davido faced backlash for his comments on Nigeria’s economy.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Davido, during an appearance on the ‘Big Homies House’ podcast, urged Black Americans to reconsider relocating to Nigeria due to economic difficulties.

The 32-year-old singer highlighted poor leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing petroleum prices as significant hindrances.

However, the ‘Timeless’ hitmaker remarks sparked criticism, notably from All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Joe Igbokwe and Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Several celebrities took to social media to defend Davido, highlighting the struggles of ordinary Nigerians with inflation, rising living costs, and an unpredictable business climate.

The truth

Paulo, 57, supported Davido’s comments in an Instagram post on Monday, describing them as a reflection of Nigeria’s harsh realities.

According to him, the challenging economy has driven global companies out of the country and left local businesses grappling with significant losses.

He also emphasised the growing trend of young talents emigrating for better opportunities abroad.

He said: “Please, you all should leave Davido alone, mad people. Davido spoke the truth. Nigeria’s current economic state is so bad.

“With global companies leaving and local businesses facing significant losses, we face challenges. Let’s acknowledge the reality and work towards a better future. God bless Nigeria.”

Too much hardship

Ruggedman, whose real name is Michael Stephens, stressed that the level of hardship in Nigeria has become unbearable for its citizens.

He called on the government to address the situation instead of shifting blame and criticising Davido for his remarks.

“Okay, Davido has said what he said. Moving forward, the government should fix Nigeria so nobody will say such a thing again.

“All this barking all over the place is not fixing the nation. The hardship is too much”, said the ‘Thy Album Come’ hitmaker.

Surviving in Nigeria

Additionally, Tiwa Savage revealed how Nigeria’s economic challenges have negatively affected the entertainment industry and its creative talents.

During her appearance on the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast on Sunday, the 44-year-old said surviving in the country is hard.

She remarked that the state of the Nigerian economy has essentially transformed celebrities into hustlers.

Tiwa Savage said, “I think Nigeria is, but when you come to Nigeria, you will understand why we breed so many superstars.

“To survive in Nigeria is something else, so the artists that come out of Nigeria are just like hustlers. They are just hustling.”

Double hustle

More so, content creator Oluwabukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, known as KieKie stated that the current economic challenges have forced entertainers to juggle multiple jobs simultaneously.

In a now-deleted post on her Instagram story, KieKie lamented the constant rise in commodity prices, highlighting the daily struggle of increasing costs.

The brand influencer, TV host and actress wrote: “We’ve all doubled our hustle, but it’s not showing because things are ridiculously and unbelievably expensive. May God help us.”

Relocation

Meanwhile, Reality TV star and entrepreneur Anita Akide, known as Tacha, has announced her decision to relocate to the United Kingdom, citing Nigeria’s worsening economy.

Tacha, who gained fame as a housemate in BBNaija Season 4, shared the news on her X page on Monday.

While she did not specify her departure date, she wrote: “Relocating to the UK so help me God.”

Background

The celebrities mentioned are not the first to criticise Nigeria’s worsening hardships and dire economic situation.

In February, this newspaper reported that veteran Yoruba actor Ebun Oloyede, known as Olaiya Igwe, who went naked to campaign for Mr Tinubu, expressed concern about the country’s growing struggles.

Olaiya, 66, a staunch APC supporter, urged Mr Tinubu to tackle the widespread hunger and address the lack of positive changes Nigerians had been anticipating under his leadership.

Olaiya’s outcry over the economic challenges was preceded by that of Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as Kwam 1, another ardent supporter of Mr Tinubu, who also called for urgent action to alleviate the nation’s hardships and insecurity.

In February, Kwam 1 lamented the worsening conditions Nigerians have faced since Mr Tinubu assumed office.

He urged the President to fulfil the promises of good governance made during his campaign and respond to the cries of citizens, emphasising their widespread suffering.

As of press time, Davido has responded to criticisms of his remark about the economic situation.

On Monday’s X page, the singer wrote, “God bless Nigeria.”

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/757025-economy-hardship-paulotiwa-savage-lament-as-tacha-announces-move-to-uk.html

I guess there's nothing to report that's why we have Tacha relocating on front page

Good on her. She should make plenty of pounds so she can buy choice property this way.

The truth is, problem of Nigeria is not bad leaders, it is, most nigerians have zero common sense, hence their leaders always come from amongst the people.
People attacked Davido, whereas, he said the biter truth. People don't understand say oyinbos are smart. Before they make any move, they will Google that country tire.
I once told my client how cheap houses were in nigeria compared to Western world, before I could step out into my truck to get my tools, them Don already googled it, showing me the pictures.
Using only words to market Nigeria is like a madman running naked in the market square shouting he is a professor....
Nigeria is a terrible place to live and do business, you won't know until you live in western world.
If e pain Nigeria leaders, they should fix their country and will not need advertisement to tell how good their country is.
No be the same Japa Tasha dey do, na him Tinibu dey do. He don japa now to France. Just 2 days he returned from Brazil.
He hates staying in his country just like Buhari. Ask of the fool now, he don japa to London

Make una rest

FTC

Alright

Anyone who want to leave the country can leave, we who choose to stay will keep giving our best to make our Region livable.

Hellanus and those dirty retard APC zone B will say otherwise

TheTundeMuniru:
Alright

Anyone who want to leave the country can leave, we who choose to stay will keep giving our best to make our Region livable.

You no get money to leave rest.

Japa by the rich go plenty by next year.

Soon she will start commiting crime even after relocating to a better country

The incompetent fool, Tilumpu has destroy Nigeria.

For any agbadorian that may want to quote me may Ògún, Àrá, Obàtálá and Sàngó strike you all dead B4 end of this year.

cjudy:
You no get money to leave rest.

Lagos boys has destroyed Nigeria simple

essentialone:
Soon she will start commiting crime even after relocating to a better country

Usual APC supporter's weak defence line

It's not every Nigerian abroad that commits crimes.
The Nigerians who commit crimes abroad are less than 1% of the total number of Nigerians abroad.

I seriously wonder why people were attacking Davido, when he didn't lie or something

MMempire:
Japa by the rich go plenty by next year.

Many have since moved

Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Omotola, Simi & AG, Seyi Law, Dr. Sid, Dele of Woli Agba, etc.

T-Pain's Nigeria go shake you.

It didn't favour her, else she won't leave. It has favored Basketmouth, 2Face that sang they want to tell us another story again and the towncrier of a boy.

Hmmmmmm

It's that bad. The number of people hustling to survive is just too high. On the street, one has to be vigilant lest you become a target of desperate and criminally minded boys. I had to cut down on my financial response to dependants to stay afloat. I don't blame people relocating at all.

Let her stay in Nigeria otherwise she will come and join other Nigerian celebrities in Uk for domiciliary care jobs, factory or security guard, UK no send her status for naija...

Prenonjebose:
It's that bad. The number of people hustling to survive is just too high. On the street, one has to be vigilant lest you become a target of desperate and criminally minded boys. I had to cut down on my financial response to dependants to stay afloat. I don't blame people relocating at all.

The begging on the streets of Lagos has increased also. I'm talking about well dressed individuals walking up to you saying, their transport fare finished while going home and you should help them with anything.

Some ignorant peeps don't even understand how bad the economy is sef...Novartis, a leading international pharm company just announced they will be exiting Nigeria by February...l know someone that works there and earns roughly 500k monthly...Now, it means the person will be jobless in two months time!!!....This country is long gone to the dogs l swear....Companies, big and small folding up and down...Businesses, big and small going down the drains...Tufiakwa! This country is cursed

Majority of them remained silent during the last election because of the fringe benefits they receive from politicians. I’m particularly waiting for that one person who earns more from cooking than Nigeria makes from crude oil exports to speak up, but she won’t, because apparently, it’s not Godswill yet.

Selfishness is at the root of our problems, “If I’m fine, others can go and die.” What many fail to realize is that a wise man living among fools will be perpetually depressed.

If you have money and everyone around you is broke, you won’t truly be happy. Our individual well-being is often tied to the collective welfare of those around us.

While what he has said is very true , Nigerians are the main problem especially him ! When he scams Nigerians with his serial crypto scams , he is no different from what the so called leaders are doing . His own uncle has been governor for sometime now , please Osun people what is his score card?
I can assure you if Davido gets into a political office , he will scam as many people as possible . We can all see what he uses his celebrity power to do in this country.

Tallesty1:
Majority of them remained silent during the last election because of the fringe benefits they receive from politicians. I’m particularly waiting for that one person who earns more from cooking than Nigeria makes from crude oil exports to speak up, but she won’t, because apparently, it’s not Godswill yet.

Selfishness is at the root of our problems, “If I’m fine, others can go and die.” What many fail to realize is that a wise man living among fools will be perpetually depressed.

If you have money and everyone around you is broke, you won’t truly be happy. Our individual well-being is often tied to the collective welfare of those around us.

some cant sleep if you get help on nairaland


awon enemies of progress


obinna58, NnamdiPapa, FourQu,etc


these b@stards av parents dat do drugs, gamble with everything and smoke dung so they bliv everyone is like them.



They av over a thousand monikers here


Crazy people

Someone cannot say d truth in dis useless agbado corn3 & be left in peace!

God bless Davido for making d whole world knw how d suffering is going on in dis useless corn3... He was too kind with d words he used sef!

How can a normal Nigerian be buying a cup of beans for #600?

If dey tell u d numbers of families all dis celebrities are feeding & catering for plus d fact dat dis agbado slavery economy is making a cup of garri reach d #500 mark, u won't believe!

ojkalito:
I guess there's nothing to report that's why we have Tacha relocating on front page

But when Davido said the truth about the current standing of Nigeria economy, it made new here and you never bothered to ask why it was brought here

Tinubu and his supporters are evil


They hate the truth

They live on lies and deceit

Unemployment and inflation at all time high


God punish all Tinubu supporters in this life and aftet life

TheTundeMuniru:
Alright

Anyone who want to leave the country can leave, we who choose to stay will keep giving our best to make our Region livable.

Your best is not your region but your country


Mr Yoruba man

Nigeria is dying since Tinubu took over

No matter how you mask it

When you go offline, you will buy an egg at 300 naira, you used to buy it 30 naira under Jonathan.

Be ready to face the biggest hardships of bola A Tinubu tenor economy hardships for 2025....
Save your money for 2025 hardships economy

Chinedum300

Thank you!

We'll survive it!

And it'll get better!

Obi will never reach that seat!