Nigerian music star Davido has returned to his alma mater, Babcock University, 11 years after graduation, pledging to upgrade the institution’s music department with a world-class facility.
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, was received by the university’s President/Vice Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Ojewole, alongside other principal officers of the institution.
During the visit, the award-winning singer toured the university’s main and mini campuses, visited the music department, and granted an interview at WAD Media Studio. Speaking during the visit, he said Babcock played a major role in shaping his journey.
“You know that I can’t even talk about my story without mentioning Babcock,” he said.
Davido announced plans to support the expansion of the university’s music department by donating a dedicated building and equipping it with modern facilities comparable to international standards.
“I feel like it’s a department that needs its own building and proper equipment, just like the personal studio I recently built in Lagos. It’s going to be a high-class music studio,” he said.
The singer added that discussions with the university management would continue, expressing hope that plans for the project would be finalized before the end of the year.
Reflecting on his years at Babcock, Davido said the institution taught him discipline, which has contributed to his success in the music industry. He also recalled meeting his wife, Chioma Adeleke, at the university and noted that many of his early supporters were students of the institution.
Addressing students, Davido advised young people to prioritize education while pursuing their dreams.
“First things first, believe in yourself,” he said, stressing that education remains the foundation for success.
Welcoming the singer, Professor Ojewole described the visit as historic and praised the longstanding support of the Adeleke family to the university. According to him, the family contributed significantly to the establishment of the music department, scholarships, and hostel projects within the institution.
“We boast about you, we dance to your music and we celebrate you,” the Vice Chancellor said, adding that he hopes the department would eventually evolve into the David Adeleke School of Music and Creative Arts.
The Head of the Music Department, Dr. Segun Ojuola, described the visit as a groundbreaking homecoming for a global icon.
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