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Nigeria’s biggest music stars are heading into the 68th Annual Grammy Awards with strong expectations and stiff competition.
The ceremony is set for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena, and five Nigerian acts Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay have secured nominations across key categories.
Their presence once again highlights Afrobeats’ growing global appeal, but winning remains a different challenge entirely.
In the Best African Music Performance category, Nigerian artists dominate the nomination list. Burna Boy’s “Love,” Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr’s collaboration with Wizkid, “Gimme Dat,” will compete against South Africa’s Tyla and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo alongside Mehran Matin.
The category was introduced following Afrobeats’ commercial success in the United States, and Tems made history in 2025 as the first Nigerian to win it. This year, Nigeria hopes to repeat that success.
Burna Boy enters the race with strong Grammy pedigree, boasting 13 career nominations. His reputation within the Recording Academy gives him an edge, although “Love” has not matched the cultural impact of some of his earlier hits.
Davido, however, appears to have strong momentum. His song “With You” became one of Africa’s biggest tracks of 2025, breaking streaming records locally and earning notable airplay in the United States.
Coupled with a successful U.S. tour and years of international visibility, this could finally be Davido’s breakthrough moment at the Grammys.
Still, Tyla remains a formidable contender. After winning the category previously, she has continued to achieve impressive commercial success.
Her song “Push 2 Start” recorded massive global streams and earned chart recognition in the U.S., making her one of Africa’s most bankable stars internationally.
The split vote among Nigerian nominees could also work in her favour, giving her a clearer path to victory.
In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy represents Nigeria with his album No Sign of Weakness. Although he has previously won in this category, experts believe the odds may not favour him this time.
The Global Music Album field often rewards traditional sounds and legendary acts. Competing projects from icons like Youssou N’Dour and Anoushka Shankar align more closely with the Academy’s historical preferences, placing Burna Boy at a disadvantage despite his global fame.
Nigeria’s absence from the Best Global Music Performance category is also noticeable this year. Previously a stronghold for Nigerian artists, the lack of nominations suggests a shift in Grammy voting patterns.
With global heavyweights like Angélique Kidjo and Bad Bunny leading the conversation, Nigeria is expected to remain a spectator in this category.
Overall, Nigeria’s chances at the 2026 Grammys remain promising but uncertain. Davido appears to be the country’s strongest hope, while Burna Boy’s experience could still influence voters. However, international competition and voting dynamics mean that nothing is guaranteed.
As Afrobeats continues to grow, Nigeria’s global influence is undeniable, but whether that translates into Grammy gold will soon be decided.
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