Nigerian Artists Shine at Afrima Awards 2026

Afrima Awards 2026: Burna Boy, Shallipopi, and Rema Among Major Winners

The Nigerian music scene took center stage at the 9th edition of the Afrima Music Awards, held on Sunday evening in Lagos. Burna Boy was named Artist of the Year for his album "No Sign of Weakness," released in July 2025. He also shared the award for Best African Collaboration with the up-and-coming artist Shallipopi, who won Song of the Year with his hit "Laho." The event brought together a diverse team of music experts from across Africa and the diaspora, highlighting the contemporary musical prowess of Nigeria. Rema also emerged as a key figure during the evening, clinching three awards: Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist in West Africa, and Best African Artist in RnB and Soul. Other notable Nigerian winners included Yemi Alade, who won Best Song from a Film, Series, or Documentary for her piece "You Are" from the animated series "Iyanu," and veteran rapper Phyno, recognized as Best African Artist in African Hip-Hop. The awards also acknowledged emerging talents, with Qing Madi named Promising Artist of the Year and Chella receiving the title of African Fans' Favorite. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of artists from across Africa, including Bakhaw Dioum from Senegal, who won Best Lyrics of the Year, and DJ Moh Green from Algeria, named DJ of the Year. It is clear that the success of Nigerian artists underscores the ongoing global appeal of Afrobeats, a musical genre that blends African rhythms with Western influences and has experienced explosive growth in recent years. Burna Boy, a defining figure in this phenomenon, continues to solidify his status as a prominent ambassador of Afrobeats music.