Renowned talent manager Asa Asika has described Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as the country’s most influential person under 40.
Asika made the claim during a recent episode of The Manager’s Playbook podcast hosted by Mauricio Ruiz, where he discussed the singer’s influence beyond music.
According to the talent manager, Davido’s extensive following across social media platforms is one of the clearest indicators of his reach.
“Davido is probably the most influential person from Nigeria under 40, in my opinion,” Asika said.
He added that while there could be arguments over other measures of influence, Davido’s social media presence places him in a distinct position among Nigerian entertainers.
Asika also compared the singer’s influence to that of a political leader, saying he often jokes with Davido that he has a level of influence comparable to that of the Nigerian president.
The talent manager further argued that Davido has managed to remain relevant despite facing controversies that, in his view, could have ended the careers of other artists.
He described the singer as “a walking billboard,” noting that major brands continue to seek associations with him.
Asika also revealed that Davido’s commercial appeal has significantly reduced the need for the team to personally fund music videos.
“We haven’t paid for a music video with our own money in ages,” he said.
The comments highlight the role Asika believes Davido’s public profile, digital reach and brand value have played in sustaining his career in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
