Grammys 2026: Nigeria goes home empty-handed as Tyla wins again

Nigeria failed to secure any award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, despite multiple high-profile nominations for some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr.

The ceremony, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, saw strong Nigerian representation in the Best African Music Performance category, but the award ultimately went to South African singer Tyla for her hit song “Push 2 Start.” The win marks Tyla’s second consecutive victory in the category, further cementing her growing global profile.

Nigerian nominees in the category included Burna Boy, Davido featuring Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid. Despite their international popularity and commercial success, none of the Nigerian entries emerged victorious on the night.

Nigeria also missed out in other categories where its artists were nominated. Burna Boy was in contention for Best Global Music Album, but the award went to Brazilian veterans Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, ending Nigeria’s hopes of a Grammy win this year.

The outcome represents a rare shutout for Nigeria, Africa’s most dominant music exporter in recent years. Nigerian artists have enjoyed notable Grammy success in previous editions, with wins and nominations helping to push Afrobeats further into the global mainstream.

Tyla’s victory, however, underscores the continued rise of African music beyond Nigeria, highlighting the growing influence of South African pop and amapiano on the world stage.

While Nigerian fans expressed disappointment over the results, industry observers note that the strong nominations reflect the sustained global relevance of Nigerian music, even as competition within African and global categories continues to intensify.