British-Nigerian rapper Dave delivered a powerful and emotional message during his first-ever headline concerts in Nigeria, declaring that the country is being divided by the West every single day while its people face relentless hardship. The star closed his “The Boy Who Played The Harp” world tour with two sold-out nights at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos on October 16 and 17, 2026, turning the shows into a deeply personal homecoming.
Born David Orobosa Michael Omoregie to parents from Edo State, Dave has long woven his Nigerian roots into his music and public identity. Standing on stage in the final moments of the tour, he told the crowd that Nigeria remains close to his heart even as it battles ongoing struggles.
“This is a place that is very close to my heart. Nigeria is a country that has faced so many hardships. So so so many hardships. A country that is united, a country that is being divided,” he said.
He continued:
“A country that is being divided by the West every single day. The pressure they put on Nigeria… the pressure the government puts on the people… all the struggles you guys faced, you dont understand how much it means to me that you guys are in this building today. I know that it was not easy for anyone who has made the decision to be here, but I appreciate you guys.”
The speech came after a night filled with high-energy performances and surprise guest appearances that underlined his connection to the local scene. Burna Boy joined him for “Location,” Oxlade appeared for “Intoxycated,” and rising Nigerian artist Zaylevelten also took the stage. Dave opened the final show with “History” under dramatic golden lights and delivered an intimate set that mixed tracks from his 2025 album The Boy Who Played The Harp with fan favourites.
Fans who battled economic pressures to attend received direct recognition from the artist. Clips of the speech quickly spread across social media, with many describing the moment as heartfelt and timely given the visible challenges many Nigerians continue to face. The concerts marked the end of a 257-day global tour and Dave’s first full headline appearances in the country of his heritage.