The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, saw Nigeria’s strong nominations in the Best African Music Performance category fail to secure a win, leaving the country without any trophies despite high expectations.
Nominees including Burna Boy for “Love,” Davido featuring Omah Lay for “With You,” and Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid for “Gimme Dat” all fell short, marking one of the rare years where Nigerian artists returned empty-handed.
South Africa’s Tyla claimed the Best African Music Performance award for “Push 2 Start,” her second consecutive win in the category after “Water” in 2025. Tyla’s victory edged out the Nigerian contenders, highlighting the competitive nature of the new global music category introduced to recognize African sounds.
The loss has sparked discussions among fans and industry observers about the criteria for the award and Nigeria’s continued representation on the global stage.
Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid had been tipped as strong contenders following their nominations, which reflected the growing international influence of Afrobeats.
Despite critical acclaim and chart success, the awards went elsewhere, underscoring the challenges Nigerian acts face in Grammy voting. Tyla’s back-to-back success reinforces her rising status as a leading voice in African music.
The 2026 Grammy results emphasize the evolving landscape of global recognition for African artists, with Tyla’s win celebrated while Nigeria’s nominees drew attention to the genre’s depth.
The ceremony featured other notable wins, but Nigeria’s absence from the winners list stands out amid the country’s consistent nominations in recent years.