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“In Nigeria you can get booked for naming ceremony for $400K” – Davido
Multiple award-winning Afrobeats star David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has sparked a wave of reactions across social media following his recent revelation about how much Nigerian artists can earn for performing at private ceremonies/shows.
During a candid interview on the popular podcast Tap In With TT, the Unavailable hitmaker disclosed that Nigerian musicians can receive as much as $400,000 to perform at events as intimate as naming ceremonies. His comments shed light on the growing culture of extravagant spending by Nigeria’s wealthy elite when it comes to entertainment.
“You can get booked for a naming ceremony — $400K,” Davido stated during the interview. “It’s just like in India; they always celebrate everything. Once you’re doing a wedding or a birthday, especially if you have money, the main thing is to invite a big artist.”
The singer drew a cultural parallel between Nigeria and India, where it’s customary for high-profile families to hire popular celebrities for family functions such as birthdays, weddings, and baby dedications.
“In Nigeria, you can get booked for a naming ceremony – $400,000”
– Davido pic.twitter.com/PZMt10MTkT
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) May 28, 2025
Davido’s comments quickly went viral, stirring a variety of responses online. While some social media users expressed shock at the hefty performance fees, others saw it as a reflection of the luxurious lifestyle that surrounds the Nigerian upper class and the booming demand for live music performances at private gatherings.
For many in the entertainment industry, the revelation confirms the increasing monetization of personal events as part of the broader Afrobeats economy—where artists not only headline festivals and stadiums but also grace elite family functions for premium fees.
As the conversation continues to unfold online, Davido’s remarks have once again highlighted the intersection of music, culture, and wealth in modern Nigerian society.