Davido, Tems Lead Nigeria's Big Night At AFRIMMA 2026

Davido started the night as the biggest name, and he left Dallas with the biggest album prize.

At the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards, AFRIMMA, held on September 12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, Davido won Album of the Year for his fifth studio album, 5ive. He had entered the night as the leading nominee with five nominations, and that win confirmed his place at the centre of the AFRIMMA 2026 winners list.

But he was not alone. Nigerian artists dominated the night across 41 categories, and fans back home had plenty to celebrate.

Tems won Best Female West Africa, while Ruger won Best Male West Africa. Phyno won Best Male Rap Act, Mercy Chinwo won Best Gospel, and Fola won Best Newcomer. DJ Tunez won Best DJ Africa, Patoranking won Best Male Reggae/Dancehall, and Real Warri Pikin won Best Comedian.

The list did not stop there. Victony won the AFRIMMA Fans Choice Award, Victor Osimhen won Athlete of the Year, Nasty Blaq won Best Influencer, and Uche Montana won Best Actor/Actress. Director Pink won Best Video Director, Kwate won Best African USA-Based Artist, and DJ Prince won Best African DJ USA.

One of the biggest moments of the night was Song of the Year, which went to BNXN and Sarz for their collaboration Back Outside. Timaya also received the Timeless Impact Award for his long career.

The overall Artist of the Year prize went to Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa, who also won the Crossing Boundaries with Music Award. He beat a strong field that included Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, Tyla, Diamond Platnumz, and Asake.

That is one reason the awards got fans talking. Many Nigerian fans were happy with the number of wins, but they also debated online why Davido did not win Artist of the Year despite leading the nominations. Others celebrated the new names like Fola and Victony, saying AFRIMMA is finally giving the next generation a platform.

Fans also talked about how wide the show has become. AFRIMMA is no longer just about music. It now celebrates comedy, acting, influencing, sports, and even hypemen. That made the night feel like a full celebration of African culture, not just a music show.

For Afrobeats, the message is simple. The genre is no longer just Nigerian or West African. It is now a global sound with stars from East, Central, Southern, and North Africa all winning on the same stage. But Nigeria is still leading the conversation, with the most winners, the biggest album, and the biggest song of the year.

The 2026 edition also marked AFRIMMA's return after a two-year break, and it came with its first music festival in Dallas, bringing together artists, DJs, food vendors, and fashion brands. That shows the awards are growing bigger, not smaller.

For Nigerian artists, AFRIMMA 2026 was proof that Afrobeats awards are no longer about one or two superstars. From Davido and Tems to Fola, Victony, and DJ Tunez, a new mix of legends and rising stars is carrying the sound forward.