By Peter Omopo
Nigerian music is set to make a strong impression at the 68th Grammy Awards, with five artistes from the country earning nominations ahead of the ceremony scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The nominations underscore Nigeria’s growing influence on the global music scene, as Afrobeats and related sounds continue to gain international acclaim.
Leading the Nigerian contingent is Burna Boy, who secured two nominations. He is nominated for Best African Music Performance with his song Love and for Best Global Music Album with No Sign of Weakness, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s most consistent Grammy contenders.
Davido also returned to the Grammy stage with a nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for With You, featuring Omah Lay. The track, which serves as a lead single from his album 5ive, recorded 4.98 million first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria in 2025 and followed a period of extensive international touring and collaborations for the singer.
Ayra Starr earned a nomination in the same category for Gimme Dat, a collaboration with Wizkid, marking another milestone in her fast-rising global profile. Wizkid, through the collaboration, also added to his growing list of Grammy recognitions.
Omah Lay completed the list of Nigerian nominees, gaining recognition for his feature on Davido’s With You, a performance noted for its emotional depth and broad international appeal.
Beyond the competitive categories, the 2026 Grammy Awards will also carry historic significance for Nigerian music. Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to receive the prestigious accolade. He is expected to be celebrated alongside global music icons including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The 68th Grammy Awards are expected to further highlight Nigeria’s expanding footprint on the global music stage, celebrating both contemporary stars and enduring legends.
