13 for Burna Boy… here are the Nigerian artistes with most Grammy nominations

The Nigerian music scene has achieved global recognition, with its artistes commanding international stages.

This ascent is marked by multiple Grammy Award nominations for a range of Nigerian talents, from Afrobeats pioneers to contemporary hitmakers, solidifying the country’s influence on the world stage.

Ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards, TheCable Lifestyle takes a look at the Nigerian artistes — including those in the diaspora — with the most Academy nominations.

1. Burna Boy (13 nominations)

• Best World Music Album: ‘African Giant’ (2020)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Twice as Tall’ (2021) — won
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Do Yourself’ (2022)
• Album of the Year (featured artist): ‘Justice: Triple Chucks Deluxe’ (2022)
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Last Last’ (2023)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Love, Damini’ (2023)
• Best Melodic Rap Performance: ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ (2024)
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Alone’ (2024)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘City Boys’ (2024)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘I Told Them…’ (2024)
• Best African Performance: ‘Higher’ (2025)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘No Sign of Weakness’ (2026)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘Love’ (2026)

2. Sade Adu (9 nominations)

• Best New Artist: ‘Sade’ (1986)
• Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: ‘Promise’ (1987)
• Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: ‘No Ordinary Love’ (1994)
• Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: ‘Please Send Me Someone to Love’ (1995)
• Best Pop Vocal Album: ‘Lovers Rock’ (2002) — won
• Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: ‘Soldier of Love’ (2011)
• Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: ‘Babyfather’ (2011)
• Best Long Form Music Video: ‘Bring Me Home – Live 2011’ (2013)
• Best Music Video: ‘Young Lion’ (2026)

3. Tems (8 nominations)

• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Essence’ (with Wizkid) (2021)
• Album of the Year (featured artist): ‘RENAISSANCE’ (with Beyoncé) (2023)
• Best Rap Song: ‘Wait for You’ (2023) — won
• Best Melodic Rap Performance: ‘Wait for You’ (2023) — won
• Best Song Written for Visual Media: ‘Lift Me Up’ (with Rihanna) (2024)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘Love Me Jeje’ (2025) — won
• Best R&B Song: ‘Burning’ (2025)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Born in the Wild’ (2025)

4. Wizkid (6 nominations)

• Album of the Year: ‘Views’ (with Drake) (2016)
• Best Music Video: ‘Brown Skin Girl’ (with Beyoncé, SAINt JHN & Blue Ivy) (2021) — won
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Made in Lagos’ (2022)
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Essence’ (with Tems) (2022)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘MMS’ (with Asake & Wizkid) (2025)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘Gimme Dat’ (with Ayra Starr) (2026)

5. Femi Kuti (6 nominations)

• Best World Music Album: ‘Fight to Win’ (2003)
• Best Contemporary World Music Album: ‘Day by Day’ (2010)
• Best World Music Album: ‘Africa for Africa’ (2012)
• Best World Music Album: ‘No Place for My Dream’ (2014)
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Pà Pà Pà’ (2022)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Legacy+’ (with Made Kuti) (2022)

6. Davido (5 nominations)

• Best African Music Performance: ‘Unavailable’ (featuring Musa Keys) (2024)
• Best Global Music Performance: ‘Feel’ (2024)
• Best Global Music Album: ‘Timeless’ (2024)
• Best African Music Performance: ‘Sensational’ (with Chris Brown & Lojay) (2025)
• Best African Performance: ‘With You’ (with Omah Lay’ (2026)

7. Sunny Ade (2 nominations)

• Best World Music Album: ‘Synchro System’ (1984)  
• Best World Music Album: ‘Odu’ (1999)  

8. Asake (2 nominations)

• Best African Music Performance: ‘Amapiano’ (with Olamide) (2024)  
• Best African Music Performance: ‘MMS’ (with Wizkid) (2025)

9. Ayra Starr (2 nominations)

• Best African Music Performance: ‘Rush’ (2024)  
• Best African Music Performance: ‘Gimme Dat’ (with Ayra Starr) (2026)

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