Nigerian music sensation Davido stirred up controversy during a recent encounter with popular American content creator Kai Cenat, who is currently in Nigeria for a documentary. While hosting Cenat in Lagos, Davido made a statement regarding Nigeria’s ethnic diversity that has since sparked debate and garnered attention across social media platforms.
Speaking to Cenat, Davido stated, “We have three tribes in Nigeria. There’s Yoruba. My father is Yoruba. And in Nigeria, wherever your father is from, that’s where you are really from. So my father is Yoruba. My wife is from Igbo. And my mother is from Benin. I’m three tribes in one.”
However, Davido’s assertion contradicts official statistics provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, which revealed that Nigeria boasts a diverse tapestry of 371 tribes. Among these, the predominant ethnic groups include Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, with numerous other ethnicities contributing to the nation’s rich cultural mosaic.
The singer’s comments have ignited discussions surrounding the complexity and richness of Nigeria’s ethnic landscape, with many social media users expressing contrasting viewpoints. Some have lauded Davido’s attempt to highlight his multi-ethnic heritage, while others have criticized the oversimplification of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic composition.
Davido’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the multitude of ethnic identities that contribute to Nigeria’s cultural tapestry. As debates continue to unfold online, his statement has sparked broader conversations about the nuances of identity and belonging in a country renowned for its ethnic diversity.