Nigerian acts miss the BET Awards 2026 wins despite nominations
Nigerian music stars Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems and Asake attended the 2026 BET Awards held on Sunday, June 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Druski. Despite multiple nominations—Tems earned three nods for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her and Viewers’ Choice; Wizkid and Asake were nominated as a duo for Best Group; and Burna Boy’s collaboration on Gunna’s WGFT vied for Best Collaboration—none took home an award. American stars Teyana Taylor and hip‑hop duo Clipse dominated the night, each winning three competitive prizes. The ceremony, established by BET in 2001 to honor Black excellence in music, film, sports and philanthropy, saw no African‑origin winners this year, a contrast to 2025 when Ayra Starr won Best International Act. The outcome highlights both the growing global influence of Afrobeats and the intense competition on one of Black entertainment’s biggest stages.
What does this mean for Nigerian artists aiming for global recognition? Should they prioritize award shows like the BET Awards, or focus on building audiences through streaming, tours and collaborations?