Several Nigerian talents, including Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, Damson Idris, and Tiwa Savage, have earned nominations for the 2026 MOBO Awards, with a total of 14 celebrities of Nigerian descent making the list this year.
The awards organisers announced the nominees on Thursday through their official website, showcasing strong Nigerian representation across music, film, and media categories.
In the highly anticipated Best African Music Act category, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Shallipopi, Ayra Starr, Rema, and Adekunle Gold will compete for the top honour. Ayra Starr also secured a nomination in the Best International Act category, going up against stars like Cardi B, Gunna, and Kehlani.
German-Nigerian singer Odeal is recognised in both the Best Male Act and Best R&B/Soul Act categories. Meanwhile, British actors of Nigerian heritage—including Wunmi Mosaku, Damson Idris, Dayo Koleosho, and Cynthia Erivo—are nominated in the Best Performance in a TV Show/Film category.
UK-based Nigerian media personalities Bemi Orojuogun (popularly known as Bus Aunty) and DJ Remi Burgz have earned nods in the Best Media Personality category.
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The 2026 MOBO Awards ceremony will take place on March 26 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, UK.
Below is the full list of nominees:
Best Male Act
Central Cee
Elmiene
Jim Legxacy
Nemzzz
Odeal
Skepta
Best Female Act
Flo
Kwn
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
Pinkpantheress
Sasha Keable
Album of the year
Central Cee – ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’
Ezra Collective – ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’
Flo – ‘Access All Areas’
Kojey Radical – ‘Don’t Look Down’
Little Simz – ‘Lotus’
Olivia Dean – ‘The Art Of Loving’
Song of the year
AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – ‘Crush’
Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – ‘Nights Like This’
Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – ‘Victory Lap’
Jim Legxacy & Dave – ‘3x’
Kwn – ‘Do What I Say’
Myles Smith – ‘Nice To Meet You’
Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’
Pinkpantheress – ‘Illegal’
Raye – ‘Where Is My Husband!’
Tim Duzit – ‘Kat Slater’
Best Newcomer
DC3
EsDeeKid
Finessekid
Jim Legxacy
Kwn
Namesbliss
Nia Smith
Sekou
Skye Newman
YT
Video of the year
Pozer – ‘Shanghigh Noon’
FKA Twigs – ‘Eusexua’
Jim Legxacy – ‘Father’
Little Simz – ‘Flood’
Raye – ‘Where Is My Husband!’
Skepta & Fred Again.. – ‘Back 2 Back’
Best R&B / Soul Act
Elmiene
Flo
Kwn
Odeal
Olivia Dean
Sasha Keable
Best Alternative Music Act
Alt Blk Era
Blood Orange
Hak Baker
Michael Kiwanuka
Nova Twins
Rachel Chinouriri
Best Grime Act
Chip
Jayahadadream
Kasst 8
Ruff Sqwad
Scorcher
Wiley
Best Hip-Hop Act
Aitch
Asco
Catch
Central Cee
D-Block Europe
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Wretch 32
Youngs Teflon
Best Drill Act
36
Booter Bee
Chy Cartier
Esdeekid
K-Trap
Leostaytrill
Nemzzz
Pozer
Twin S
Wohdee
Best International Act
Ayra Starr
Cardi B
Clipse
Gunna
Kehlani
Leon Thomas
Mariah The Scientist
Moliy
Tyla
Vybz Kartel
Best Media Personality
Bemi Orojuogun (Bus Aunty)
Dj Ag
In My Opinion
Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe (Melissas Wardrobe)
Nadia Jae
Niko Omilana
Pk Humble
Remi Burgz
Uche Natori
Winners Talking
Best Performance in a TV Show / Film
Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: ‘The Lion King’
Ashley Thomas – ‘Hostage’
Ashley Walters – ‘Adolescence’
Cynthia Erivo – ‘Wicked’
Damson Idris – ‘F1’
Dayo Koleosho – ‘Eastenders’
Lennie James – ‘Mr Loverman’
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – ‘Hard Truths’
Stephen Graham – ‘Adolesence’
Wunmi Mosaku – ‘Sinners’
Best African Music Act
Adekunle Gold
Ayra Starr
Davido
Joshua Baraka
Moliy
Rema
Shallipopi
Tiwa Savage
Tyla
Wizkid
Best Caribbean Music Act
Ayetian
Lila Iké
Masicka
Shenseea
Vybz Kartel
Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
Cktrl
Ego Ella May
Ezra Collective
Kokoroko
Nubya Garcia
Yazmin Lacey
Best Electronic Act
FKA Twigs
Jazzy
Kilimanjaro
Pinkpantheress
Salute
Sherelle
Best Gospel Act
Annatoria
DC3
Faith Child
Imrhan
Sondae
Still Shadey
Best Producer
Inflo
Jae5
Miles Clinton James
P2J
Sammy Soso
Zach Nahome