2026: Films, music, stars, moments that will matter

As Nigeria’s entertainment industry continues its steady march onto the global stage, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. From Nollywood’s evolving storytelling to Afrobeats’ continued global expansion, fans have plenty to look forward to across film, music and award culture. In this piece, Weekend Trust highlights what to look out for from the industry in 2026.

New voices to watch out for

As Nigeria’s music scene grows, a new wave of artists is beginning to attract attention at home and beyond. These young singers and songwriters are building audiences with fresh sounds, catchy lyrics and memorable collaborations.

Mavo has quickly risen as one of Afrobeats’ most talked-about names. He won Billboard’s November 2025 African Rookie of the Month award at the age of 22 after several of his songs reached the top of Nigerian charts. His music, which he refers to as Burbur Music, combines Afrobeats, rap, and street slang.

Streaming rankings have been dominated by songs like Escaladizzy, Money Constant and BODY (danz), which featured collaborations with celebrities like Wizkid, Davido and CKay. The strong momentum indicates that he is set for an even larger year in 2026.

From northern Nigeria, OG Abbah has drawn attention with his hit single, Wayyo Allah Na. His tracks have a unique personality in the local scene since they mix contemporary Afrobeats sounds with Hausa lyrics. In 2025, the song gained a lot of popularity on the internet, which prompted a remix with a seasoned rapper, Ice Prince and live appearances that increased his audience. Beyond music, he was chosen as a brand ambassador by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Another young Afrobeats artist making waves is Ayo Maff. Born in Lagos, Maff became popular across the country with his song, Dealer, which featured Fireboy DML. The song did well on streaming services and formed his early sound. His first extended play, Maffian, was released in 2024. In 2025, he released additional music that solidified his status as a rising star. His music features Afrobeats, street pop, and Afro-pop, making him popular with younger listeners.

Additionally, Morravey has been making progress in the Nigerian music scene. After appearing on Davido’s album, Timeless, she immediately became increasingly popular. Many fans were drawn to her melodic approach and deep voice. Her debut, EP, RAVI, and tracks like Ifeneme have performed well on platforms, such as Shazam and across Africa, establishing her as a name projected to expand, even more in 2026.

Another artist gaining significant traction is Shoday. Born as Shodade Solomon Segun, he uses a soft voice, catchy tunes and street-inspired lyrics. His fame grew because of songs like Dey 4 You, Caution and Gaddem. By 2025, he was performing in front of sizable audiences and receiving streams on major platforms. Shoday is someone to keep an eye on because his sound fits in well with Afrobeats while retaining his own flair.

Last but not least is Fola, who has slowly increased his industry presence through a variety of great singles and collaborations. His soft, soulful voice and meaningful lyrics helped his debut, EP What a Feeling achieve popularity, and subsequent singles have climbed the streaming charts in Nigeria and beyond. His reach has also been expanded by collaborating with musicians like Bnxn and Bella Shmurda.

Coming to screens near you

Several Nigerian films scheduled for release in the first half of 2026 suggest a year focused on clearer stories and careful production. The releases cover romance, documentary, drama and other genres that aim to attract both local and international cinema audiences.

Produced by Inkblot Productions and FilmOne Studios, Everything Is New Again is a love drama that launches the year. The movie looks at relationships between various age groups and the idea of starting over after failures. Also, it retains Inkblot’s collaboration with the Filmhouse Group.

In February, Kayode Kasum’s film, Love & New Notes shifts the focus to romance. The movie, which is set in Lagos, is on modern relationships and the difficulties they pose. It will be released before Valentine’s Day and stars Timini Egbuson.

Mothers of Chibok, a documentary helmed by Kachi Benson, will also be released in February. The movie looks back at the kidnapping of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State in 2014. The story is told from the mothers’ point of view, showing their long search for answers.

Laju Iren’s film, A Fisherwoman’s Dream, is set for release in March. The movie tells a woman’s journey through adversity and hope. In addition, it is the acting debut of media celebrity, Chude Jideonwo. Later in March, Evi will also be released. The musical play is directed by Uyoyou Adia and produced by Judith Audu. It tells its tale through original songs, making it one of the rare musical films in Nollywood.

In April, The Other Side of the Bridge, produced by Demi Banwo in partnership with Lord Tanner Studios, will hit cinemas. The film follows two boxers from distinct parts of Lagos. The plot centres on competition, training and individual development. A Star in Dark, produced by FilmOne Studios, will also be released in April. Although the movie’s specifics are unknown, it is anticipated to look into the difficulties associated with stardom.

Iya Mi, which is scheduled for release in May, completes the lineup of films for early 2026. The film focuses on motherhood and familial bonds. It is anticipated to emphasise generational bonds and sacrifice.

Project and Awards

Wizkid and Asake’s joint EP: Real (Vol. 1)

Following Wizkid and Asake’s announcement, Nigerian music fans who have been longing for a collaborative record from the country’s top talents will finally get their dream. During a special Apple Music Radio session in early December 2025, the two formally announced that they were working on a joint EP called Real (Vol. 1).

Wizkid described the project simply during the announcement: “Special announcement: 2025, clear road. Mr Money and Big Wiz, our project is called Real, and it will be released this December for the people.”

DJ Tunez gave fans a preview of what to expect by teasing an online clip of a song that is believed to be from the EP, Jogodo. Although Real (Vol. 1) was supposed to be released in December 2025, the entire EP is still not available on streaming services. This has caused many to speculate that the release might have been postponed until early 2026, which is typical when final production, marketing, and release schedules change near year-end. Neither the performers nor their organisations have announced a new date.

The fact that Wizkid and Asake, two well-known Afrobeats artists, are collaborating on a whole body of work for the first time makes this collaboration noteworthy. They have previously worked together on tracks like MMS and Bad Girl.

The 2026 Grammys

The 68th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 1, 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event, which will be streamed on Paramount+ and televised globally on CBS, will celebrate songs released between late August 2024 and August 2025.

The Grammy Awards this year are especially exciting for Nigerian music lovers. Numerous Nigerian musicians have received nominations, showing the growing value of Afrobeats and modern African music on the international stage.

The Nigerian nominees for Best African Music Performance for ‘Love’ and Best Global Music Album for ‘No Sign of Weakness’ are led by Burna Boy. His streak of continuous nominations proves his growing influence on the international scene.

Additionally, Ayra Starr and Wizkid were nominated equally for their song Gimme Dat, while Davido was nominated for Best African Music Performance for his song, With You featuring Omah Lay.

These nominations show that Nigerian music is now appreciated for its originality, impact and quality on a global scale rather than just locally. Afrobeats musicians are increasingly involved in important international discussions, and their attendance at the Grammy Awards marks a significant turning point for the country’s music industry.

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