By Abdul Lauya
Nigerian music superstar Davido’s recent Miami “white wedding” to Chioma Rowland, reportedly costing a jaw-dropping ₦5.7 billion ($3.7 million), has set off a firestorm of criticism over the extravagant spending habits of Nigeria’s elite while more than 133 million citizens live in multi-dimensional poverty.
The lavish multi-day celebration, attended by stars like Teni, Adekunle Gold, and Zlatan, was staged in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
While Davido confirmed the overall cost, viral social media claims that he paid $4,000 (₦6.4m) per night for each guest remain unsubstantiated. Still, the verified ₦5.7 billion price tag has sparked outrage over what critics describe as a tone-deaf display of wealth.
Development experts say the sum spent on the wedding could fund life-changing projects in healthcare, education, or rural infrastructure. “The moral optics are terrible,” said Dr. Adamu Ibrahim, an Abuja-based economist.
“When the average Nigerian survives on less than ₦1,000 a day, spending ₦5.7 billion on a private party is not just excessive, it’s obscene.”
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics data shows that more than 50% of the population struggles to access clean water, proper healthcare, or quality education.
In this grim reality, images of champagne toasts, designer outfits, and luxury hotel suites at the wedding have become a symbol of the yawning gulf between the privileged few and the struggling majority.
While some fans celebrate Davido’s ability to project African affluence on the global stage, others say the culture of flamboyance among celebrities and political elites fuels resentment and deepens distrust in a society already battling inflation, joblessness, and insecurity.
“It feels like we live in two different Nigeria,” said a civil servant in Abuja. “One where a weekend party costs billions, and another where people can’t afford one decent meal a day.”
Davido has yet to comment on the public backlash, perhaps letting the spectacle of his ₦5.7 billion nuptials speak louder than words.
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