Nigerian music stars Ayra Starr, Davido, <\/strong>Wizkid and Tiwa Savage have been nominated for the 2026 MOBO Awards, reinforcing Nigeria\u2019s growing dominance on the global Black music scene.<\/p>\n The nominations were unveiled on Thursday, with organisers announcing contenders across 20 categories ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for March 26, 2026, at Co-op Live in Manchester.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s event is historic, as it marks the first time the MOBO Awards will be hosted in Manchester and coincides with the organisation\u2019s 30th anniversary.<\/p>\n Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage earned nominations in the highly competitive Best African Music Act category, where they will slug it out with fellow Nigerians Ayra Starr, Rema, Shallipopi and Adekunle Gold.<\/strong><\/p>\n Also nominated in the category are Ghana\u2019s Moliy, Uganda\u2019s Joshua Baraka and South Africa\u2019s Tyla, highlighting the continued global rise and cross-border appeal of African music.<\/p>\n Ayra Starr emerged as one of the standout African acts on the shortlist, securing nominations in both the Best African Music Act and Best International Act categories.<\/p>\n In the Best International Act category, the \u2018Rush\u2019 singer will compete against global heavyweights including Cardi B, Kehlani, Gunna and Vybz Kartel. Tyla and Moliy also received nominations in both categories.<\/p>\n Ayra Starr has enjoyed notable success at the awards in recent years. At the 2025 edition, she made history by becoming the first woman in 16 years to win the Best African Music Act award, while also clinching the Best International Music Act title.<\/p>\n The MOBO Awards, regarded as Europe\u2019s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, recognise outstanding talent and releases from September 1, 2024, to October 1, 2025.<\/p>\n Speaking on the nominations, MOBO founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kanya King CBE, said the 2026 shortlist reflects the strength, diversity and cultural influence of Black music globally.<\/p>\n \u201cAs MOBO enters its 30th year, this year\u2019s nominees are a powerful reflection of the culture and moment we are living in. Their voices matter, not only in how they soundtrack our lives, but in how they shape the future,\u201d<\/em> King said.<\/p>\n She added that the nominations represent \u201cone of the strongest and most diverse showcases of Black British music excellence in years,\u201d while also underscoring the growing international reach of the awards.<\/p>\n Abia Radio News<\/strong> reports that leading the 2026 nominations are Little Simz, Olivia Dean, Kwn and Jim Legxacy, each of whom secured four nominations. Central Cee, Skepta, PinkPantheress and FLO followed closely with three nominations apiece across major categories.<\/p>\n Beyond music, the awards will also honour achievements in film, television and media. Nominees for Best Performance in a TV Show\/Film include Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham for Netflix\u2019s Adolescence, and Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners.<\/p>\n The awards ceremony will be preceded by the MOBO Fringe Festival, a week-long cultural programme organised in partnership with Manchester City Council.<\/p>\n The festival will feature live performances, industry panels and creative workshops.\u00a0The hosts, performers and special honourees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n Full List Of 2026 MOBO Awards Nominees<\/p>\n BEST MALE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n CENTRAL CEE<\/p>\n ELMIENE<\/p>\n JIM LEGXACY<\/p>\n NEMZZZ<\/p>\n ODEAL<\/p>\n SKEPTA<\/p>\n BEST FEMALE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n FLO<\/p>\n KWN<\/p>\n LITTLE SIMZ<\/p>\n OLIVIA DEAN<\/p>\n PINKPANTHERESS<\/p>\n SASHA KEABLE<\/p>\n ALBUM OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n CENTRAL CEE \u2013 CAN\u2019T RUSH GREATNESS<\/p>\n EZRA COLLECTIVE \u2013 DANCE, NO ONE\u2019S WATCHING<\/p>\n FLO \u2013 ACCESS ALL AREAS<\/p>\n KOJEY RADICAL \u2013 DON\u2019T LOOK DOWN<\/p>\n LITTLE SIMZ \u2013 LOTUS<\/p>\n OLIVIA DEAN \u2013 THE ART OF LOVING<\/p>\n SONG OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n AJ TRACEY FEAT. JORJA SMITH \u2013 \u2018CRUSH\u2019<\/p>\n DONAE\u2019O FEAT. OMAR, LEMAR & HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR \u2013 \u2018NIGHTS LIKE THIS\u2019<\/p>\n FRED AGAIN, SKEPTA & PLAQUEBOYMAX \u2013 \u2018VICTORY LAP\u2019<\/p>\n JIM LEGXACY & DAVE \u2013 \u20183X\u2019<\/p>\n KWN \u2013 \u2018DO WHAT I SAY\u2019<\/p>\n MYLES SMITH \u2013 \u2018NICE TO MEET YOU\u2019<\/p>\n OLIVIA DEAN \u2013 \u2018MAN I NEED\u2019<\/p>\n PINKPANTHERESS \u2013 \u2018ILLEGAL\u2019<\/p>\n RAYE \u2013 \u2018WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!\u2019<\/p>\n TIM DUZIT \u2013 \u2018KAT SLATER\u2019<\/p>\n BEST NEWCOMER<\/strong><\/p>\n DC3<\/p>\n ESDEEKID<\/p>\n FINESSEKID<\/p>\n JIM LEGXACY<\/p>\n KWN<\/p>\n NAMESBLISS<\/p>\n NIA SMITH<\/p>\n SEKOU<\/p>\n SKYE NEWMAN<\/p>\n YT<\/p>\n VIDEO OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n POZER \u2013 \u2018SHANGHIGH NOON\u2019 (DIRECTED BY BAS HASELAGER)<\/p>\n FKA TWIGS \u2013 \u2018EUSEXUA\u2019 (DIRECTED BY JORDAN HEMINGWAY)<\/p>\n JIM LEGXACY \u2013 \u2018FATHER\u2019 (DIRECTED BY LAUZZA)<\/p>\n LITTLE SIMZ \u2013 \u2018FLOOD\u2019 FEAT. OBONGJAYAR & MOONCHILD SANELLY (DIRECTED BY SALOMON LIGTHELM)<\/p>\n RAYE \u2013 \u2018WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!\u2019 (DIRECTED BY THE REIDS)<\/p>\n SKEPTA & FRED AGAIN \u2013 \u2018BACK 2 BACK\u2019 (DIRECTED BY DOMAMANIC and SKEPTA)<\/p>\n BEST R&B\/SOUL ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n ELMIENE<\/p>\n FLO<\/p>\n KWN<\/p>\n ODEAL<\/p>\n OLIVIA DEAN<\/p>\n SASHA KEABLE<\/p>\n BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n ALT BLK ERA<\/p>\n BLOOD ORANGE<\/p>\n HAK BAKER<\/p>\n MICHAEL KIWANUKA<\/p>\n NOVA TWINS<\/p>\n RACHEL CHINOURIRI<\/p>\n BEST GRIME ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n CHIP<\/p>\n JAYAHADADREAM<\/p>\n KASST 8<\/p>\n RUFF SQWAD<\/p>\n SCORCHER<\/p>\n WILEY<\/p>\n BEST HIP HOP ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n AITCH<\/p>\n ASCO<\/p>\n CATCH<\/p>\n CENTRAL CEE<\/p>\n D-BLOCK EUROPE<\/p>\n KOJEY RADICAL<\/p>\n LITTLE SIMZ<\/p>\n LOYLE CARNER<\/p>\n WRETCH 32<\/p>\n YOUNGS TEFLON<\/p>\n BEST DRILL ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n 36<\/p>\n BOOTER BEE<\/p>\n CHY CARTIER<\/p>\n ESDEEKID<\/p>\n K-TRAP<\/p>\n LEOSTAYTRILL<\/p>\n NEMZZZ<\/p>\n POZER<\/p>\n TWIN S<\/p>\n WOHDEE<\/p>\n BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n AYRA STARR<\/p>\n CARDI B<\/p>\n CLIPSE<\/p>\n GUNNA<\/p>\n KEHLANI<\/p>\n LEON THOMAS<\/p>\n MARIAH THE SCIENTIST<\/p>\n MOLIY<\/p>\n TYLA<\/p>\n VYBZ KARTEL<\/p>\n BEST MEDIA PERSONALITY<\/strong><\/p>\n BEMI OROJUOGUN (BUS AUNTY)<\/p>\n DJ AG<\/p>\n IN MY OPINION<\/p>\n MELISSA HOLDBROOK-AKPOSOE (MELISSA\u2019S WARDROBE)<\/p>\n NADIA JAE<\/p>\n NIKO OMILANA<\/p>\n PK HUMBLE<\/p>\n REMI BURGZ<\/p>\n UCHE NATORI<\/p>\n WINNERS TALKING<\/p>\n BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV SHOW\/FILM<\/strong><\/p>\n AARON PIERRE \u2013 MUFASA: THE LION KING<\/p>\n ASHLEY THOMAS \u2013 HOSTAGE<\/p>\n ASHLEY WALTERS \u2013 ADOLESCENCE<\/p>\n CYNTHIA ERIVO \u2013 WICKED<\/p>\n DAMSON IDRIS \u2013 F1<\/p>\n DAYO KOLEOSHO \u2013 EASTENDERS<\/p>\n LENNIE JAMES \u2013 MR LOVERMAN<\/p>\n MARIANNE JEAN-BAPTISTE \u2013 HARD TRUTHS<\/p>\n STEPHEN GRAHAM \u2013 ADOLESCENCE<\/p>\n WUNMI MOSAKU \u2013 SINNERS<\/p>\n BEST AFRICAN MUSIC ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n ADEKUNLE GOLD (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n AYRA STARR (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n DAVIDO (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n JOSHUA BARAKA (UGANDA)<\/p>\n MOLIY (GHANA)<\/p>\n REMA (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n SHALLIPOPI (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n TIWA SAVAGE (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n TYLA (SOUTH AFRICA)<\/p>\n WIZKID (NIGERIA)<\/p>\n BEST CARIBBEAN MUSIC ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n AYETIAN<\/p>\n LILA IK\u00c9<\/p>\n MASICKA<\/p>\n SHENSEEA<\/p>\n VYBZ KARTEL<\/p>\n YUNG BREDDA<\/p>\n BEST JAZZ ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n CKTRL<\/p>\n EGO ELLA MAY<\/p>\n EZRA COLLECTIVE<\/p>\n KOKOROKO<\/p>\n NUBYA GARCIA<\/p>\n YAZMIN LACEY<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n BEST ELECTRONIC\/DANCE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n FKA TWIGS<\/p>\n JAZZY<\/p>\n KILIMANJARO<\/p>\n PINKPANTHERESS<\/p>\n SALUTE<\/p>\n SHERELLE<\/p>\n BEST GOSPEL ACT<\/strong> DC3<\/p>\n FAITH CHILD<\/p>\n IMRHAN<\/p>\n SONDAE<\/p>\n STILL SHADEY<\/p>\n BEST PRODUCER<\/strong><\/p>\n INFLO<\/p>\n JAE5<\/p>\n MILES CLINTON JAMES<\/p>\n P2J<\/p>\n SAMMY SOSO<\/p>\n ZACH NAHOME<\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nigerian music stars Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage have been nominated for the 2026 MOBO Awards, reinforcing Nigeria\u2019s growing dominance on the global Black music scene. The nominations were unveiled on Thursday, with organisers announcing contenders across 20 categories ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for March 26, 2026, at Co-op Live in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":239463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[2695,2696,248,403],"class_list":["post-239462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-2026-mobo-awards","tag-2026-mobo-awards-nominees","tag-ayra-starr","tag-davido"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tiwa-Savage-and-Ayra-Starr.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239462\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Top Nominees And Wider Recognition<\/h2>\n
ANNATORIA<\/p>\n