Nigerian music stars delivered a powerful showing at the 30th edition of the MOBO Awards, with Afrobeats icons Wizkid and Ayra Starr emerging among the biggest winners of the night.
The milestone ceremony, held at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, marked the first time the awards were hosted in the northern city, celebrating three decades of Black music and cultural influence.
Ayra Starr stood out as one of the night’s top performers, securing the Best International Act award for the second consecutive year. The achievement places her among a select group of artistes, making her the first African act in over a decade to win the category back-to-back. Her victory came against a competitive lineup that included global stars like Cardi B, Gunna, Vybz Kartel, and Tyla.
In another major win for Nigeria, Wizkid claimed the Best African Music Act award, triumphing over a highly competitive field dominated by fellow Nigerian heavyweights. Nominees in the category included Davido, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, and Shallipopi. The win further reinforces Wizkid’s long-standing influence and leadership within the global Afrobeats movement.
Nigeria’s impact extended beyond performance categories into production and digital media. Popular online creator Niko Omilana was named Best Media Personality, reflecting the growing intersection between digital content and mainstream entertainment. Meanwhile, acclaimed producer P2J took home the Best Producer award for his contributions across Afrobeats, R&B, and pop music.
Outside the Nigerian contingent, British singer Olivia Dean dominated the ceremony with three major wins, including Best Female Act, Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, and Song of the Year for “Man I Need.”
Other notable winners included Central Cee, who clinched Best Hip-Hop Act, Raye for Video of the Year, and FLO, who won Best R&B/Soul Act.
The event also honoured industry legends, with Pharrell Williams receiving the Global Songwriter Award, while hip-hop pioneer Slick Rick was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Marking its 30th anniversary, the MOBO Awards once again highlighted the global rise of Afrobeats, with Nigerian artistes playing a central role in shaping the sound and direction of contemporary music worldwide.
