Grammy-nominated Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, has shared a nostalgic reflection on an incident from his university days that nearly derailed his early music career.
The 32-year-old singer revealed on Wednesday through his official X handle (formerly Twitter) that he sneaked out of Babcock University in 2011 to perform at the Lynxxx and Friends Tour in Ibadan, Oyo State, a decision that landed him in serious trouble with his billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke.
According to the music icon, fellow artists Asa, Peju, B-Red, and Sina Rambo picked him up from the Ilishan-Remo campus to join the concert lineup. What he did not anticipate was that the performance would be broadcast on Soundcity, a popular music television channel.
“In 2011, I skipped school to perform in Ibadan. Asa, Peju, B Red and Sina picked me up from Babcock and we drove to join the Lynxxx and Friends Tour. I had no idea it was going to air on Soundcity, and when my pops saw it, I got in so much trouble,” Davido wrote.
The incident occurred during a turbulent period in Davido’s academic life. After dropping out of Oakwood University in Alabama, United States, where he was studying Business Administration, the young artist had returned to Nigeria in 2011 and enrolled at Babcock University following pressure from his father. His father, a successful businessman and founding member of Babcock’s Board of Trustees, reportedly established a music department at the private Christian institution specifically to accommodate his son’s passion while ensuring he completed his education.
Despite the family drama, the unauthorized performance marked a pivotal moment in Davido’s emerging career. It was during this period that he was working on his debut studio album “Omo Baba Olowo,” which would later produce hit singles including “Dami Duro.”
Fast forward 14 years, and the Timeless crooner has come full circle. On November 9, 2025, Davido delivered a record-breaking performance at the same city’s Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium) in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, as part of his ongoing 5ive Alive Tour.
The sold-out concert, which drew approximately 25,000 fans, featured high-profile attendees including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The electrifying event saw Davido perform over 40 songs from his extensive catalogue, closing the show around 3 a.m. with his Grammy-nominated collaboration “With You” featuring Omah Lay.
Celebrating his growth, Davido expressed gratitude for how far he has travelled since that controversial 2011 performance.
“14 years later, we destroyed the stadium. The 5ive Alive run across Nigeria has been one for the books. To my peers let’s build back home and give back to our roots,” the award-winning artist stated.
The Ibadan concert was organized in partnership with the Oyo State Government through the Agency for Youth Development and marked a significant stop on the Nigerian leg of his 5ive Alive World Tour. The tour, which kicked off on October 26, 2025, at the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has also made stops in Yola, Adamawa State, and Enugu before arriving in Ibadan.
Davido thanked the sponsors who made the historic tour possible while announcing upcoming performances in Abuja and Lagos. However, before the Nigerian shows continue, the music star will head to Atlanta, Georgia, for his birthday celebration at the State Farm Arena on November 20, 2025.
“Big love to all our sponsors for backing this historic tour. Abuja and Lagos up next, but next stop is ATL for my birthday, State Farm Arena on November 20th!” he announced.
The journey from a rebellious university student sneaking out for performances to becoming one of Africa’s biggest music exports demonstrates Davido’s remarkable evolution. Despite the initial conflict with his father over his career choice, Davido eventually graduated from Babcock University in July 2015 with a Second Class Upper Division Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, becoming the first student of the institution’s newly created music department.
The multi-award-winning singer has repeatedly emphasized the importance of African artists investing in their home continent, using his platform to encourage fellow entertainers to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.