Ramadan Concert Ban Allegedly Blocks Fave’s Nigeria Birthday Show

Nigerian singer Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, known professionally as Fave, has publicly claimed that organisers are refusing to host her concerts in Nigeria during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan, citing an alleged directive prohibiting such events.

The “Baby Riddim” crooner stated that her plan to hold a birthday show in Nigeria on March 13 is facing obstacles because the date falls within the Ramadan period. Taking to the social media platform X, she expressed confusion over the reported restriction, writing, “So I was tryna do a show in Nigeria on my birthday this year but they’re telling me shows aren’t allowed during Ramadan? I’m a little confused.”

Fave further explained that potential promoters have consistently rejected her proposal for the March 13 event solely due to its timing during Ramadan. In a subsequent post, she argued that the religious observance should not impact her business as a Christian artiste. “I grew up in the south and never heard of Ramadan practices till I was in my late teens. I respect all religions. But I’m Christian and I really want to do this on my birthday so if you’re reading this and are open to organize, I’d be so happy,” she stated.

The artiste described her effort as an independent musician to stage her first concert in Nigeria on her birthday, noting that repeated communications from her team to promoters yielded the same response referencing the Ramadan period. Her posts highlight a personal and professional frustration, framing the issue as a clash between commercial activity and religious sensitivities.

While Nigeria has a significant Muslim population and observes Ramadan with heightened devotional activities, there is no nationwide, official ban on public entertainment during the period. Practices can vary by region and community, with some local authorities or communal groups occasionally advocating for restrictions out of respect for fasting Muslims. Fave’s allegations suggest an informal but widely enforced directive within the event promotion sector for the 2024 Ramadan, expected to begin around March 10 depending on moon sighting.

The situation underscores the complex interplay between Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape and its entertainment industry. For an artiste, securing venues and promoters is critical for revenue and career growth, and perceived blanket restrictions based on religious calendars can pose significant business challenges. Fave’s public appeal to find an alternative organiser signals her intent to proceed despite the reported barriers.

Her comments have ignited discussions on social media about religious tolerance, economic rights, and whether such unofficial bans are appropriate or enforceable. The outcome of her search for a willing promoter may serve as a test case for how the industry navigates religious periods in the future. Without a formal statement from any regulatory body, the alleged directive remains an industry practice as reported by the artiste.