Davido visits alma mater, pledges support for varsity’s music department

Award-winning Nigerian singer, Davido, born David Adeleke, has reaffirmed the importance of education, stressing that it is wrong for anyone to describe education as a scam.

The Afrobeats star made the remarks during a visit to his alma mater, Babcock University, on Sunday, where he also pledged support for the institution’s music department.

Davido, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the university in 2015, said he proudly tells colleagues that he went to school.

The singer described music and creativity as the “new oil” in Nigeria and promised to invest in the development of the university’s music department through the construction of an ultra-modern building equipped with world-class facilities.

According to him, balancing his studies with a rapidly growing music career was difficult, and he nearly dropped out on several occasions.

He, however, credited his father, billionaire businessman Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, his aunt, and some lecturers at the university for encouraging him to complete his education.

Davido also revealed that, apart from meeting his wife, Chioma Adeleke, at the institution, one of the greatest values he gained from the university was discipline.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists, the singer said, “Aside from my wife, whom I met at the university, I’ll say discipline is another thing I gained here.

“I already did two years in the States at Oakwood, so I was here for about two and a half years. I even lived in the Vice Chancellor’s house at some point.

“My music career blew up so much that it became difficult to stay fully in school because of fans and other distractions, but with the help of the Prof and my auntie, who kept pushing me, I was able to finish.”

Davido added that completing his education has become a source of pride among his peers.

“It’s a bragging right for me among my colleagues. I’m always quick to tell them that I went to school. It’s something I’m proud of,” he said.

On his plans for the university, the singer said he intends to expand the music department into a standalone faculty building.

“The music department is what I want to expand. I feel like it should have its own building.

“I recently built a high-standard music studio in Lagos, and we are ready to give back to the school by providing proper equipment because music is oil right now in Nigeria. Creativity is the new oil,” he said.

Davido said discussions were already ongoing with the university management to complete the project before the end of the year.

The singer also advised young Nigerians to remain committed to education despite the growing trend of dismissing schooling as unnecessary.

“I will definitely say education is not a scam. Yes, some people succeeded without going to school, but it would be wrong for anyone to say education is a scam,” he stated.

He further urged youths to believe in themselves, remain dedicated to their craft, and put God first.

“Whatever you are doing, music, sports, journalism, engineering, push yourself to the highest level, love what you do, and most importantly, love God,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, described Davido as a worthy ambassador of the institution, praising his global success in the music industry.

Ojewole also noted that the Adeleke family has maintained a longstanding relationship with the university and has consistently supported the vision of the Adventist Church behind its establishment.