The Nigerian Entertainment Industry is one of the most enterprising entertainment industries in Africa. I dare say it is the biggest entertainment industry in Africa. It has employed thousands of Nigerian Youths over the years, given opportunities for creatives to express themselves and showcase their gifts to the world, and has contributed immensely to the economy of Nigeria.
These awards are some of the most coveted entertainment awards we have in Nigeria and they are as follows;
1. The Headies Award
The Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies) is a music award show established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists. It is broadcast live on HipTV to viewers across Nigeria. The 1st and 2nd editions of the award took place at the Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State.
The Headies was first presented, on March 10, 2006, and the image of The Headies was created by Ayo Animashaun, the founder of the awards, and drawn by Matthias Aragbada. The first Headie plaque was done by Jide Adewoye. It represents the “image and the shout of a young, vibrant individual whose talent can challenge that of renowned local and international artists combined, but who has almost lost confidence in his abilities in the face of discouraging circumstances presented by the peculiar Nigerian environment.” In 2008, the plaque was redone in the United Kingdom. It was plated with 21-carat gold. The new plaque is a mixture of resin, copper, steel, marble, and gold.
As of 2018, The Headies is composed of 25 categories. Open voting decides the majority of the awards’ categories. However, the Best Recording of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Vocal Performance (Male), Best Vocal Performance (Female), Lyricist on the Roll, and Best Performer categories are not open to public voting.
It is Nigeria’s most prestigious musical award; some critics even refer to it as the Nigerian “Grammys” and it is an award to die for. No, it’s no coincidence that it generated a lot of controversies in the 2015 edition of the award over who deserved the “Next Rated” award. Reekado Banks won the Next Rated award. His win was criticized by music critics, who challenged the “fairness of the award process” and caused a brief beef between Don Jazzy and Olamide which was eventually resolved by Nigerian Businessman Aliko Dangote.
2. Soundcity MVP Awards Festival
The Soundcity MVP Awards Festival is an event presented by Soundcity TV which awards plaques to musicians and performers across Africa. Since 2007, the winners are chosen by the viewers and fans by visiting #TheMVPs’ website and a select committee of the industry stakeholder. The first MVPs ceremony was held in December 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The awards are known for Crowning the hardest working talents in Africa and are presented annually and broadcast live on Soundcity TV on DStv, GOtv, TalkTalk UK, Soundcity Radio Network, and Soundcity Android and iOS app as well as online on the SoundcityTV website, YouTube, and other social media accounts.
The MVPs award ceremony was announced by Soundcity TV when teaser radio and TV promo began to run in the first week of November on Soundcity Radio Network and Soundcity TV tagged ‘Soundcity MVP Awards Festival’ and announced as ‘crowning the hardest working talents in Africa’. The maiden ceremony took place at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos, Nigeria on the 29th of December, 2016, and was hosted by comedian Basketmouth.
3. Africa Movie Academy Awards
The Africa Movie Academy Awards popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture. The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses, and actors from all across the world.
The AMA Awards are widely considered to be Africa’s most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa.
The first Africa Movie Academy Awards were held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria on 30 May 2005. All other subsequent African Academy Awards before 2012 were held at the same venue, except for the 2008 AMAA Awards which was moved to Abuja, FCT for security reasons. In 2012, the awards ceremony was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in Lagos State. The 9th and 10th editions saw AMAA returning to Yenagoa, while the 2015 ceremony was held outside Nigeria for the first time. The award recognizes Excellence in cinematic achievements and as of 2017, the Africa Movie Academy Awards have 28 merit categories.
4. Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is an annual accolade presented by Multichoice recognizing outstanding achievements in television and film. The inaugural Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony was held in Lagos, Lagos State in Nigeria on 9 March 2013, and was broadcast live in more than 50 countries. Entries into the award ceremony are films and TV series that have been aired in the previous year. The award celebrates Excellence in Television and Film and the award has always been held at Exhibition Center, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos State since the first edition.
5. Nigeria Entertainment Awards
The Nigeria Entertainment Awards were established in New York City on January 14, 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
6 City People Entertainment Awards
City People Entertainment Awards are an annual accolade presented by City People Magazine to honour Nigerian and Ghanaian entertainers. The first edition was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on June 14, 2009. The event was hosted by Governor Gbenga Daniel in the State House. In 2017, the award was divided into “City People Music Awards” and “City People Movie Awards” and these awards celebrate Excellence in Nigeria & Ghana Entertainment Industries.
7 All Africa Music Awards
All Africa Music Awards is an annual awards event. The awards event was established by the International Committee AFRIMA, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) to reward and celebrate musical works, talents, and creativity around the African continent while promoting the African cultural heritage. Its pioneer Awards show was held on December 27, 2014. Nigeria has hosted three of the award editions during 2014–2016. Nigeria once again won the fourth-year hosting rights tenure in 2017. However, the Republic of Ghana was given the right to host the All Africa Music Awards for four consecutive years from December 2018 to 2021.
The International Committee of AFRIMA is made of five regions: SADEC, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, Northern, and Western Africa, which are run by regional directors and 54 country directors. Public votes determine which artists get awarded, alongside a jury of experienced African culture, media, and music industry experts/professionals.
The awards consist of 37 prizes of two categories: region-based awards (covering the five African regions) overseeing the achievements of African artists within their specific regions of origin and the genre-based continental awards.
8. African Muzik Magazine Awards
African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) is the sole award ceremony in the Diaspora that caters to all musical genres including but not limited to: Afrobeats, Assiko, Bongo, Decale, Funana, Genge, Highlife, Hiplife, Kwaito, Lingala, and Soukous.
The award was first presented on the 26th of July, 2014 at Eisseman Center, Dallas, Texas, and it marked the first edition of the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). It was a night of celebration of African music and the best of African music talents with performances from Fally Ipupa, Eddy kenzo, Tekno, Davido, Flavour, Alaine, Wyre, Khuli Chana, Iyanya, 2face, T-Pain, and many more. AFRIMMA is committed to writing the African music story on the world map and the mission is Crossing Boundaries with Music in aligning with the dream started by African Muzik Magazine. African music is on the verge of world glory and we are proud to be part of history.