• This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.


    In today’s world, one’s digital footprint can be as defining as your CV. Tweets, shares and retweets often outlive the moment they were posted, creating an online record that shapes how people see you, sometimes long after you’ve moved on.

    For many young Nigerians, X (formerly Twitter) became more than just an app during the COVID-19 lockdown; it was a playground for jokes, trolling and “savage” replies that built massive followings. But what happens when the same online antics that once made you popular begin to clash with the seriousness of career ambitions and real-world opportunities?

    Seye*, a 26-year-old music marketer and project manager, opens up on how trolling and amplifying porn online costs him opportunities and credibility in the industry he works in.

    This is Seye’s* story as told to Marv.

    I was a 21-year-old and a 200-level university student in 2020 when I started actively using X (it was called Twitter then). Before then, in 2018 and 2019, when I was new on the app, I’d log in and out of my account because I never really understood the app. I always heard friends who were frequent users talk about how funny people could be on the app, but I didn’t get the hype. They always joked and said something like, “You gats savage person before dem go savage you o.” That means one thing: to be a mean troll towards other users during unfriendly banters.

    Screenshots of funny replies and trollings were constant posts on the WhatsApp status of my contacts, too. After COVID-19 completely hijacked the world, everywhere got locked down, and movements were restricted, my obsession with my phone multiplied. I fell deeper into X, where I virtually lived every day. Over time, I started to get the hang of it.

    I began to engage people more, mostly through banter and witty comebacks. At first, it felt harmless. I was just being funny, trying to fit into the “savage culture.” People laughed, retweeted, and followed me because of my replies. The rush that came with getting notifications nonstop was addictive. Before long, I was that guy who was tagged under random tweets with “Come and finish work here.”


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    Then I took it a step further, and honestly, I can’t even explain why. I started amplifying porn on my timeline; retweeting, quote-tweeting, and just throwing it into the mix of everything else. It wasn’t because I had some goal in mind; it was just me being edgy, crazy and carefree.

    Surprisingly, my followers didn’t really complain. The worst I got were playful drags like, “Omo, you be animal o” or “Shey you get life like this?” And then everyone would move on with their life.

    For a while, it felt normal. It was part of my “brand” — so synonymous with me that even when a follower randomly saw porn on the TL, they’d jokingly mention that it was my doing. I always laughed it off. It didn’t matter to me.

    By 2021, I had gathered a decent following, around 10 thousand followers, and I started thinking, “Maybe I can actually make money from this.” I watched other people around me become influencers and get campaigns. I wanted that too. I added “brand influencer” to my bio. I slowly reduced how I joked around and all the faffery.

    But there was a problem.

    I had built my entire presence on trolling and porn. It was hard to convince people I was “serious’ suddenly. I’d try to tweet thoughtfully or jump on brand-friendly trends, but people weren’t buying it. They expected jokes, chaos, and wild content from me. If I posted anything different, engagement would die. Still, I didn’t give up. I told myself it was just a matter of time before someone recognised that I was serious, and all I used to do was just cruise.


    READ NEXT: Had I Known: 8 Nigerians On Celebrities They Regret Stanning


    By mid-2022, reality started pressing me. I was in 300 level, closer to finishing school, and knew internships would open doors for me. I was fearful of life after school, whether it was at a job or a skill. 

    My life on X wasn’t close to what I wanted for myself and my future, so I began applying for jobs, particularly in Lagos. I wanted to have the “big city” experience, too. But rejections soon piled up, and there wasn’t much time left before the resumption of school and the start of 400-level, the final year.

    Then, one day, I stumbled upon and read a career thread that an X user made for undergraduates and fresh graduates about how they can create value for themselves. Some of the points made in the thread mentioned internships, mentorship, and volunteering. It made sense to me, and it became my next action. I started to pay attention to more career-related tweets for job openings, vacancies, and opportunities. Nothing was forthcoming until I returned to school.

    One evening, around 4 p.m., while scrolling through my timeline, I saw a tweet from a music-industry mutual I respected that he was swamped with too much work, and he needed a personal assistant to make his life and work easier. Immediately, I went to his profile, clicked on the direct message icon and jumped into his DM to signify my interest. In my head, this was the perfect opportunity to get a shot at working in the music industry, learn, network and prove myself.

    He read my message, but I didn’t get a response from him. After 24 hours, I tweeted at him to check his DM. Still, no response. 48 hours went by, and there was silence. Then, one of his friends replied to his tweet asking if he had found a PA. His response was, “No one solid yet.”

    In that moment, ease left me. I was like, “As how?” He literally read my message. My throat became dry, and I felt very unimportant and useless. I went to DM him again to confirm I wasn’t imagining things. I even wrote another text and restated some of the things about my abilities and potential I had written in the first message to him. This time, he replied to me, but his words floored me.

    He told me straight up: “You’re a cool guy, but honestly, you don’t look serious. I follow you and I see your online dramas. You’re not the kind of person I want for this.” Then he gave me a shocker: I had once told him to “fuck off” on the timeline before. I didn’t remember that I said that or even crossed him. I couldn’t believe that I did that and told him that that was long gone, I wasn’t that person anymore, and I had changed and become better. His final response to me was, “Lol, best you keep doing better. You’ll be alright, bro.”


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    That cut deep. For the first time, I had to face the fact that the version of me I had built online wasn’t harmless fun; it was my reputation. All those “savage” replies and porn retweets weren’t just posts people laughed at and scrolled past. They had created a picture of me that lingered, and it does not say, “Hire this guy.”

    Even now, in random conversations, my friends still joke about it. Whenever I complain that someone is being mad or extra on the TL, they laugh and say, “pot is calling kettle black.”

    After losing that opportunity, I opened a new account to start fresh. I focused on learning about the music business, running mini-campaigns for up-and-coming artists. Over time, I grew in capacity as a digital music promoter and project manager working with buzzing artists.

    But despite my growth, that same mutual still sees me in the same light as a “Twitter nuisance.” In June last year, I had separate instances where I was supposed to work with two new popular talents under him, but he blocked it. He even informed the person who recommended me that I was a “weird guy.” 

    When I explained my past, the person told me his friend was principled and I should move on. He advised me to find people in other industries to work with. I’m trying, but fear lingers that his influence might also shut doors for me with others.

    Though I’m learning to build a “we move” mentality, it still frustrates me.

    Whenever I think about the situation, I regret not realising sooner that every post was part of my digital footprint. Back then, it was just vibes. But now, I know it has cost me real opportunities and tainted my reputation in the industry I want to work in.

    It’s crazy how the internet never forgets. You really, really understand that when you face the brunt of it. It’s like that meme says: “Fuck around and find out.” Well, I found out. And these days, I’m super careful. I don’t ever want to be in another situation where I realise people weren’t just laughing with me, but they were taking notes again.


    Do you have a story of regret? Share it with us by filling out this form.


    ALSO READ: The 20 Best Nigerian Lyricists, Ranked By Fans


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  • In Nigerian music, it is often the rhythms that travel first — the basslines that shake dance floors from Lagos to London, the hooks that cling to memory long after the speakers fall silent. Yet behind the global appeal of Afrobeats, hip-hop, juju, and highlife lies another engine: the lyricists.

    These are the writers who turn lived experience into verse, who distil heartbreak and politics into rhyme, who lace proverbs, pidgin, and wit into phrases that cross borders as easily as sound. They remind listeners that behind every hit is a voice that chooses words with precision — words that can spark joy, provoke reflection, or cut with startling force.

    This ranking of the 20 best Nigerian lyricists, determined by fans, recognises the artists whose pen has defined eras, genres, and movements. Some are rappers whose narratives stretch like novels; others are singers who weave poetry into melody. 

    All of them, in their own way, have written themselves into the country’s musical memory.

    20. Lagbaja

    Lagbaja burst on the scene and turned anonymity into a signature. Behind the mask was not concealment but commentary: a musician who allowed his art to speak louder than his face ever could. His lyricism draws from Yoruba and pidgin, braided with jazz-inflected melodies, to deliver social critiques that cut with precision.

    From the biting satire of “Gra Gra” to the tender intimacy of “Never Far Away,” Lagbaja moves easily between protest and poetry. He can call out politicians with the same ease that he sings about love. And when words are not enough, his saxophone becomes a second pen — sketching melodies that say what language cannot.

    “It’s his ability to create simple but memorable hooks. He also has the ability to get really serious when he wants to. His style of music spawned many artists like Asake.” — Semilore, a Lagbaja fan since “Konko Below.”

    Standout lyrics: “If we search ourself nobody innocent o / Baa ba ni a so’ko s’oja se a f’ara ile lori.”


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    19. Victony

    Victony is proof that Nigeria’s new wave of artists are as committed to craft as they are to rhythm. Since breaking through with “Holy Father” and his Outlaw EP, he has distinguished himself with a pen that balances melody and meaning. His lyrics are vulnerable without slipping into sentimentality, and clever without feeling contrived.

    Each verse carries the texture of his generation’s reality — restless, searching, and unafraid to be tender. It is this blend of honesty and craftsmanship that has made Victony more than just a voice of the moment, but a writer whose words endure beyond the beat.

    “To be honest, I really enjoy how effortless his songwriting comes across. His lyrics ooze of luxury, of lived experiences, of experiences yet to happen.” — Fati, a Victony fan since “Maria.”

    Standout lyrics: “My salvation / Reverend father say e dey for your body oh / If I go kpai my resurrection.”

    18. Lindsey Abudei

    Lindsey Abudei’s songwriting is soft yet piercing, her delivery as delicate as it is deliberate. She blends soul, jazz, and alternative influences with Nigerian sensibilities, often weaving themes of love, longing, identity, and self-discovery into her work. Her lyricism reads like pages from a poet’s diary — intimate, vulnerable, and timeless.

    Projects like Brown and …And The Bass Is Queen show her gift for turning emotions into captivating storytelling. Lindsey is a lyricist for the dreamers, the yearners, the late-night thinkers, and anyone who finds beauty in silence and stillness.

    “I find her style of writing intimate and literary. There’s a conversational element in her lyrics that I love so much.” — Marv, a Lindsay Abudei fan since “Brown.”

    Standout lyrics: “I once sang a beautiful song / It had me too much / It had me high and now I’m crumbling down.”


    READ NEXT: 10 Nigerian Musicians on When They Realised Their Management Didn’t Have Their Back


    17. Jesse Jagz

    Jesse Jagz’s verses are dense but never impenetrable — layered with reflections on fast living, hedonism, spirituality, and Pan-Africanism that continue to yield new meaning even on the tenth listen. 

    If M.I Abaga is Nigerian music’s self-styled “Chairman,” then Jesse is its “prophet.”

    A rare rapper-producer hybrid, his lyricism carries the weight of revelation, delivered with fire. Across projects like Jagz of All Tradez and the Jagz Nation series, he built a reputation as a shape-shifter, folding reggae, rap, highlife, and Afrobeats into a singular voice. His pen is not just technical; it’s visionary.

    “Jagz is my favourite from his generation, and if you look around you, he’s still the hardest one holding it down among his peers.” — Temitope, a Jesse Jagz fan since “Blaze.”

    Standout lyrics: “My flow sicker than my country’s president.”

    16. Sola Allyson

    Sometimes Sola Allyson’s music lifts you with the purity of gospel; other times it cuts straight into your soul. Her songs feel like a warm embrace from home, threaded with Yoruba proverbs, spiritual depth, and a tenderness that makes every line linger.

    From her breakout Eji Owuro album to works like Ìrẹ̀, Allyson has written songs that speak to timeless truths, rendered with a voice that makes worship sound like poetry and everyday struggles feel like hymns. Long after the music fades, her lyricism remains — a quiet storm doing the heavy lifting.

    “She’s the artist I listen to when life is overwhelming. Whether I’m looking for gospel inspirations or just need something with depth, she’s my go-to artist.” — Bunmi, a Sola Allyson fan since “Eji Owuro.”

    Standout lyrics: “Oun wisi mi ni kelekele okan, pe kin ma Gbagbe irapada mi.”

    15. Sound Sultan

    Sound Sultan was Nigeria’s true “Naija Ninja” — a lyrical warrior who used wit and humour to wrestle with big social issues. His pen danced easily between satire, love songs, and sharp social commentary, making him one of his generation’s most astute writers.

    His genius lay in simplicity: he could turn corruption into a playground chant and dress the heaviest truths in melodies you couldn’t help but sing along to.

    “I love his subject matter and the way he infuses humour into his music. The rap verse off ‘Mathematics’ blew my mind at the time.” — Sentinel, a Sound Sultan fan since Back From the Future.

    Standout lyrics: “Show my people dem to the promise land / But then I notice something / People wey try am don dey underground.”

    14. Show Dem Camp

    Show Dem Camp are Nigeria’s hip-hop griots. For over a decade, Tec and Ghost have used their Palmwine Music series and Clone Wars tapes to tell the Lagos story — from traffic wahala to heartbreaks.

    Their lyricism is conversational but razor-sharp, like that friend who always has the perfect clapback. Ghost packs the punchlines, Tec brings the perspective, and together they make music that feels both nostalgic and current. If you’ve ever screamed, “Show Dem Camp, omo, yes indeed,” you already know their pen is untouchable.

    “These guys rap about every social issue affecting Nigerians on Clone Wars tapes, and relationships on the Palmwine series. They have unlocked the Nigerian experience and how it translates into sweet, relatable music.” — Johnson, a Show Dem Camp fan since “Farabale.”

    Standout lyrics: “The other day I saw a Lambo at the Toll Gate getting scratched by Danfo / I thought of life, be humble as you plan, bro / One day, you’re in cloud, the next, you’re Ambo.”

    13. Asa

    Asa writes songs like letters you’ll never forget. From “Fire on the Mountain” to “The Beginning,”  her lyrics balance raw human experience with stories that feel deeply personal. Her gift is in her subtlety — she can call out society’s chaos with the same pen she uses to sketch the outlines of heartbreak.

    Her lyricism doesn’t shout; it lingers. Long after the last note fades, Asa’s words keep reshaping how you think about love, loss, and life itself.

    “This is who I listen to when I’m sad, happy, in love, going through heartbreak or whenever I want to sing along to any song.” — Chidinma, an Asa fan since “Fire On the Mountain.”

    Standout lyrics: “But as the river keeps flowing / I’ll keep on moving on.”

    12. Mode 9

    Mode 9 is an undisputed OG of Nigerian hip-hop. With punchlines that land heavy, multisyllabic rhymes, and metaphors stacked on metaphors, he built his reputation as one of the sharpest pens in the game. His verses are dense — sometimes intimidating — but always rewarding if you lean in.

    He isn’t just rapping; he’s kicking knowledge, sparring, and flexing all at once. For hip-hop purists, Mode 9 remains the standard.

    “Whenever I hear the word ‘lyricist’, his image is the only thing that comes to mind. He hardly has a mid verse.” — Soji, a Mode 9 fan since “Cry” feat. Nneka.

    Standout lyrics: “Lyricist on the roll, had to let it go / I threw a little fish back in the pond, I let it go.”


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    11. Tope Alabi

    Tope Alabi isn’t just a gospel artist — she’s a lyrical storyteller whose words land like scripture. Her mastery of Yoruba turns songs into both worship and poetry, weaving biblical truths into language that feels ancestral, familiar, and soul-deep.

    Her use of eulogy is unmatched, often making listeners feel she lives in close conversation with God. More than metaphors, her lyricism carries conviction — and conviction has always been Tope Alabi’s greatest gift.

    “I think she’s the greatest because she knows her words and she knows how to weave them. Gospel music can be hard because of restrictions but Tope shows that she knows her onions. Her lyrics are worship. She’s worshipping God and inviting you to do the same.” — Titi, a Tope Alabi fan since Yes and Amen.

    Standout lyrics: “Eni ti o ni o, koni nkankan.”

    10. 9ice

    9ice is Nigeria’s metaphor king. From “Gongo Aso” to “Street Credibility,” his Yoruba-infused lyricism turned everyday expressions into national catchphrases. He has that rare gift of slipping a proverb into a verse that makes aunties nod in recognition while still sounding fresh to millennial and Gen Z ears.

    Playful yet layered, his wordplay is proudly indigenous. 9ice remains a reminder that native languages are lyrical goldmines.

    “Depth in proverbial lyrics, insane rhyme schemes (for a singer), and the way he weaves idioms and folklore is unmatched.” — Smeezy, a 9ice fan since “Ruggedy Baba.”

    Standout lyrics: “Àtéwọ̀ mọ́ bàlà / À ò mọ ẹni tó kọ / We spit in pidgin, àwọn kan ń wùkò / You better show where you belong.”

    9. M.I Abaga

    When M.I declared himself “Africa’s Best Rapper,” it wasn’t bluster — it was fact. His lyricism reshaped Nigerian rap, making it mainstream without ever watering it down. Across albums like Talk About It, The Chairman, and Yxng Dxnzl, his pen delivers punchlines, puns, and storytelling in equal measure, each packed with quotables.

    Versatile to the core, his verses are sharp enough for battles yet warm enough to soundtrack weddings. In Nigerian hip-hop, M.I. isn’t just an artist — he’s an institution.

    “M.I. took Nigerian rap to a respectable level. Twenty years in the game and he has remained relevant without switching his style to sell.” — Ridwan, a M.I. Abaga fan since “Crowd Mentality.”

    Standout lyrics: “Loyalty promises I received by the dozen / Said that they’d be there when I needed them, but they wasn’t.”

    8. Burna Boy

    Burna’s lyricism doesn’t need to be complex to be unforgettable. His writing blends pidgin and Yoruba to create anthems that cut across borders. His writing is always intentional. He has the biting socio-political edge of Yawa Dey” and “Monsters You Made” to the confessional arch of “Last Last.”

    He has mastered the art of making personal stories into global songs that are simple, yet endlessly quotable.

    “I consider him the most gifted artist of his generation. In fact, if you put in any era, he’ll dust his peers.” — Justin, a Burna Boy fan since “Like To Party.”

    Standout lyrics: “But my people dem go say I no wan kpai / I no wan die I no wan kpeme / I want enjoy I wan chop life, I wan buy motor I wan build house / I still wan turn up.”

    7. Beautiful Nubia

    Beautiful Nubia is the bard of modern Nigerian folk. With his band, The Roots Renaissance, he has spent nearly three decades writing songs that sound like folklore set to music. His work brims with proverbs, wisdom, and urgent calls to action.

    Tracks like “Owuro L’ojo” and “Seven Life” showcase his gift for crafting lyrics that are piercing yet deeply relatable, pushing listeners toward reflection and social change. For Beautiful Nubia, lyricism isn’t about complexity but resonance — words that linger like tales told by the fireside or under the moonlight.

    “His music offers great advice. He has clear expressions and deep appreciation for Yoruba and community.” — Gboyega, a Beautiful Nubia fan since “Ife Oloyin.”

    Standout lyrics: “Ololufe nt’o ti nreti yen lo mbo l’ona yi / Baby mo r’ire mu bo n’irin ajo.”

    6. 2Baba

    2Baba (FKA 2Face Idibia) is one of Nigeria’s greatest pop storytellers — the pen behind “African Queen,” arguably the country’s most iconic contemporary love song. With “E Be Like Say,” he turned social frustration into a nationwide sing-along. His lyricism thrives on clarity, crafting simple, direct lines that cut straight to the heart.

    For over two decades, his pen has been steady — powerful yet effortless. Few artists have written words that feel so timeless, across love ballads and social commentary alike.

    “He is the greatest to do it in my books. Period.” — Dapo, a 2Baba fan since “Ole.”

    Standout lyrics: “Just like tears drops falling from the sky / It is like a blessing in disguise that we fail to realise.”

    5. Saheed Osupa

    Saheed Osupa may proudly call himself the “King of Fuji Music,” but he’s also one of Nigeria’s finest lyricists, period. His albums are masterclasses in Yoruba wordplay — rich enough to preserve heritage, entertain music lovers, and fuel endless debates.

    In a single track, Osupa can argue, joke, advise, brag, and throw shade, his pen moving between sharp social commentary and playful mischief. Few artists embody the lyrical depth of Yoruba oral tradition the way he does.

    “Saheed Osupa, for me, takes Fuji music to an intellectual level that’s uncommon in the genre. Even when he’s singing about sex and women, the brilliance and delivery of his lyricism leave you in awe. You keep unpacking and unpacking his lines.” — Odunlami, a Saheed Osupa fan since “Olaju De.”

    Standout lyrics: “Ninu egbin lola ngbe.”

    4. King Sunny Adé

    King Sunny Adé is juju royalty, but he’s also a master lyricist whose songs orbit praise, storytelling, and philosophy. His genius shines brightest on stage, where he improvises Yoruba proverbs into melodies on the spot, turning live shows into lyrical masterclasses.

    For decades, his words have travelled across generations, balancing wisdom with irresistible groove. Stylish and magnetic, KSA laces his verses with both charm and depth — proof that lyricism can move feet and minds at once.

    “His relevance in and outside music has never waned.” — Sayo Alagbe, a fan since “Ori Mi Ja Funmi.”

    Standout lyrics: “Elégédé n tanná ojú e ninu ojo, ó gbalè lo rebete.”

    3. Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

    Chief Osita Osadebe was the gentleman and lyrical giant of highlife, able to turn everyday wisdom into music that felt like a conversation with a beloved elder. Known for his smooth voice and relaxed delivery, his lyricism was steeped in proverbs, Igbo philosophy, and stories of love, patience, and life’s daily hustle.

    Songs like “Osondi Owendi” endure because they’re more than melodies — they’re life lessons wrapped in song. His lyrics flow like palm wine: slow, rich, and leaving you with a warm buzz of reflection. Osadebe’s lines are the ones your parents quote and the choruses you find yourself humming decades later.

    “Anyone that can turn proverbs, communal wisdom and daily experience into meaningful music like that is the musician people deserve to listen to.” — David, Osita Osadebe fan since “Osondi Owendi.”

    Standout lyrics: “Ife sozili inye sozi chi ya / Na enu uwa nke a anyi no nu / O bu onye ka zi Chukwu/ O gbanari chi ya na osu nu.”

    2. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey

    From the moment he emerged on the music scene, Ebenezer Obey was already bodying opponents with juju lyricism. His songs — often stretching past 20 minutes — weave parables, praise-singing, and moral lessons into sprawling soundscapes.

    Many of his albums remain cultural landmarks because Obey has always understood the power of words to teach, entertain, and immortalise legacies. His pen isn’t just legendary; it’s generational.

    “The Chief Commander was the teacher and music wizard of my time. Over 50 years on earth, and most things he has said in music are wisdom for the future.” — Stephen, an Ebenezer Obey fan since “Aye Wa A Toro.”

    Standout lyrics: “K’osgbon to le da, kosi wa tolewu / Ko sona to le gba, to le fi t’aye lorun o.”

    1. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister

    The late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, father of Fuji music, was Nigeria’s first true street lyricist. He pioneered the genre by fusing Islamic chants, Yoruba storytelling, and sharp social commentary into words that spoke directly to ordinary people.

    Albums like Fuji Garbage proved his pen could be playful and political, spiritual and satirical all at once. Barrister didn’t just create a genre — he elevated lyricism itself.

    “Not many Nigerians can be credited with creating or even codifying a music genre. Barrister did that with Fuji music. That genre has dominated for almost 60 years, and continues to influence Afrobeats today.” — The Jide Taiwo, a Barrister fan since “Oke Agba.”

    Standout lyrics: “Nigba ti Mo n je la lai leran, ko seni tori mi / Nisin t’Olohun Oba wo mi dagba / Mo le jeun emeta aje kanu.”


    ALSO READ: 10 Nigerian Musicians Who Used To Be Famous and What They Do Now


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  • Music is a whole community experience. The moment a beat drops, every neighbour reacts in their own special way: from the dancer who turns the street into a stage to the one shouting “reduce that volume!” through the window. This quiz will reveal exactly which type of Nigerian neighbour you are when music starts playing.

    Play the quiz:

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  • Nollywood isn’t just an industry—it’s a cultural force. What began as scrappy home videos has grown into one of the most prolific and influential film industries in the world. At the heart of this transformation are the directors: visionaries who turned limited resources into unforgettable stories, and local tales into global phenomena.

    These filmmakers didn’t just shoot movies; they built a language of cinema that is distinctly Nigerian, merging tradition with modernity, laughter with critique, and entertainment with cultural memory. Their persistence and artistry shaped how the world sees Nollywood, and how Nollywood sees itself.

    Here are the ten directors whose impact continues to define Nigerian cinema—and why their films remain essential viewing.

    10. Biyi Bandele

    Biyi Bandele was a filmmaker with a rare gift: the ability to translate literature into cinema without losing its complexity. His 2013 adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun was one of Nollywood’s most ambitious undertakings, weaving the intimacy of love stories into the vast backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War. He followed it with Fifty (2015), a glossy, Lagos-set drama about four women confronting ageing, ambition and desire, a film that expanded Nollywood’s conversation about modern life.

    His final work, Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022), adapted from Wole Soyinka’s stage classic, was a fitting capstone — a meditation on duty, tradition and betrayal. Bandele’s career was defined by a commitment to stories that demanded both scale and seriousness, marking him as one of Nollywood’s most literate and ambitious directors.

    Must-Watch: Half of a Yellow Sun — a sweeping portrait of love and war that remains one of Nollywood’s most daring productions.

    9. Mildred Okwo

    Mildred Okwo is one of Nollywood’s most acclaimed female directors, celebrated for her sharp character work and unapologetically female perspectives. Her breakthrough film, The Meeting (2012), was a turning point for Nigerian romantic comedies — a polished, witty production that paired political satire with a love story, proving that Nollywood could be both entertaining and incisive.

    She followed it with Suru L’ere (2016), a lighthearted look at ambition and hustle in Lagos, and La Femme Anjola (2021), a sultry neo-noir that pushed Nollywood into darker, more stylish territory. Across genres, Okwo has maintained a reputation for precision and sophistication, raising the bar for what mainstream Nigerian cinema can achieve.

    Must-Watch: The Meeting — a deft blend of satire, romance, and comedy that set a new standard for Nollywood storytelling.


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    8. C.J. “Fiery” Obasi

    C.J. Obasi belongs to a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers intent on pushing Nollywood beyond its traditional boundaries. His debut feature, Ojuju (2014), shot on a shoestring budget, announced his arrival with urgency and vision. The film, a zombie thriller rooted in Lagos life, won Best Nigerian Film at AFRIFF and established him as a director who could make genre cinema feel both local and universal.

    He has since expanded his oeuvre with O-Town (2015), a gritty crime tale, and Hello, Rain (2018), a short adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s Afro-futurist story. But it was Mami Wata (2023), his black-and-white reimagining of West African folklore, that placed him firmly on the international stage. Premiering at Sundance and winning the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography, the film signalled Nollywood’s growing presence on the festival circuit.

    Obasi’s work is marked by visual boldness and a willingness to merge fantasy, folklore and horror into something entirely his own.

    Must-Watch: Mami Wata — a striking, dreamlike vision that transforms myth into cinematic poetry.

    7. Teco Benson

    Teco Benson is often credited with reshaping Nollywood’s relationship with action and suspense. Beginning his career as an actor in the early 1990s before moving behind the camera, he distinguished himself in an industry long dominated by melodrama, proving that Nigerian cinema could handle thrillers with grit and urgency.

    His State of Emergency (2004) was a watershed moment, blending political corruption, gunfights and high-stakes drama in a way audiences hadn’t seen before. He went on to show his range with Two Brides and a Baby (2011), a romantic drama, and returned to darker territory with Accident (2013), a taut psychological film that won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Nigerian Film.

    Benson’s career is defined by versatility and a willingness to experiment, but it is his mastery of tension and pacing that ensures his place in Nollywood history.

    Must-Watch: Accident — a tightly wound thriller that showcases Benson at his most precise and compelling.


    ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Actors Who Used to Be Famous and What They Do Now


    6. Jade Osiberu

    Jade Osiberu represents a new wave of Nollywood directors who balance box-office appeal with critical recognition. Her debut, Isoken (2017), a romantic comedy about love and cultural expectations, earned her Best Director at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and quickly established her as a filmmaker with both craft and commercial instincts.

    She followed with Sugar Rush (2019), one of the year’s highest-grossing Nigerian films, and expanded into bigger, riskier productions with Brotherhood (2022) and Gangs of Lagos (2022). Together, these films confirmed her ability to handle scale, spectacle and storytelling without losing sight of character.

    Through her company, Greoh Studios, Osiberu has also created a space for high production values, strong ensemble casts and stories that resonate at home and among the Nigerian diaspora. Her work signals Nollywood’s ambition to compete on a global stage while staying rooted in local realities.

    Must-Watch: Gangs of Lagos — a gritty, high-energy drama that reflects both her commercial boldness and her drive for more daring Nigerian storytelling.

    5. Tade Ogidan

    Tade Ogidan is one of Nollywood’s veteran filmmakers, a writer, producer and director whose career has shaped the industry across decades. Known for weaving together adventure, comedy, and drama with moral or patriotic undertones, he helped define the sensibilities of old Nollywood with a string of influential titles. Films like Owo Blow (1996), Out of Bounds (1997) and Diamond Ring (1998) remain landmarks of the 1990s home-video era, often cited for their storytelling ambition and enduring cultural resonance.

    Ogidan has continued to adapt with time. His Gold Statue (2019) revisited the blend of comedy, adventure and drama for a new generation, balancing ensemble storytelling with social themes while still appealing to audiences that grew up with his earlier work.

    Across his career, Ogidan has been defined by consistency — a filmmaker whose range and longevity secure him a place among Nollywood’s most enduring voices.

    Must-Watch: Gold Statue — a testament to his ability to manage large casts, marry humour with deeper questions, and bridge generations of Nollywood audiences.

    4. Kunle Afolayan

    Kunle Afolayan has come to embody what is often described as “New Nollywood.” His films are marked by higher production values, careful attention to cinematography and sound, and a willingness to explore genres that stretch from romance to thrillers, history to folklore. At a time when audiences were adjusting their expectations of Nigerian cinema, Afolayan helped set a new benchmark.

    His breakthrough, The Figurine: Araromire (2009), fused romance, destiny and the supernatural into a taut, suspenseful story that felt both modern and distinctly Nigerian. The film is widely credited with shifting perceptions of what Nollywood could achieve on screen. He has since built a varied catalogue that includes Phone Swap (2012), the period thriller October 1 (2014), the satirical Mokalik (2019), Swallow (2021) and Anikulapo (2022), each expanding the scope of his filmmaking.

    Afolayan’s work is ambitious, layered and cinematic, combining local specificity with universal themes — a hallmark of the Nollywood renaissance.

    Must-Watch: The Figurine: Araromire — a gripping blend of mystery and romance that wrestles with faith, friendship and fate.


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  • Romcoms live or die by one thing: chemistry. That spark between the two leads: the glances that linger, the playful banter that feels unscripted, creating the kind of tension that makes audiences root for love even when all odds are against the ship. Nollywood understands this magic of blending humour, drama, and romance in ways that feel uniquely Nigerian, yet globally relatable.

    In this list, we spotlight the Nollywood romcoms where the chemistry is so undeniable, you’ll find yourself grinning at the screen and replaying certain scenes. If you’ve ever doubted Nollywood’s ability to deliver “10/10 chemistry,” you should watch these movies.

    10. The Art of Heart (2025)

    Running time: 1h 35m

    Director: Jide ‘JBlaze’ Oyegbile

    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    Atikah (Sophie Alakija) is trying to keep her gallery—and her sense of self—afloat while dodging family expectations and the suffocating myth of the “perfect relationship.” Enter Diaga (Michael Ejoor), who’s sworn off romance after his own heartbreak but can’t help being drawn to her. 

    What makes The Art of Heart work isn’t just the push-pull of “will they, won’t they?”—it’s how grounded both leads are. Alakija plays Atikah with a quiet spark that feels real, while Ejoor’s restrained, almost wary presence balances her perfectly.

    Together, they find that sweet spot of romcom chemistry: vulnerable without being saccharine, romantic without ever tipping into melodrama.

    Watch The Art of Heart on YouTube.

    9. From Lagos With Love (2018)

    Running time: 1h 25m

    Director: Tola Odunsi

    Genre: Romcom

    On the surface, From Lagos With Love plays like a breezy romance, but it’s really two love stories tangled up in Lagos-sized complications. Ify (Enado Odigie), 32 and still reeling from a messy breakup, is juggling family expectations with the terrifying possibility of starting over. 

    Her spark with Maxwell (Nonso Bassey) isn’t fireworks so much as a slow burn—charged looks, unresolved tension, and the kind of silences that feel louder than dialogue. 

    The second couple, Tunde (John Ogah) and his fiancée Sam (Damilola Adegbite), add their own friction: he’s younger, she’s an actress, and together they’re fighting off age gaps, cultural judgment, and the weight of tradition. 

    The magic here isn’t in glossy romcom tropes—it’s in how the film lets real-world pressures crash into romance, making every kiss and conflict feel like it actually matters.

    Watch From Lagos With Love on Plex.


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    8. Love In Every Word (2025)

    Running time: 1h 55m
    Director: Stanley Obi
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    Chioma (Bamike “Bam Bam” Olawunmi-Adenibuyan) is a Lagos woman who knows exactly what she doesn’t want: another man who echoes the flaws of the men in her life, from her exes to her father. So when Obiora (Uzor Arukwe), a charming Igbo businessman, shows up and ticks all the boxes she swore she’d avoid, Chioma’s carefully curated world starts to unravel.

    Set against a backdrop of workplace chaos and societal expectations, Love In Every Word explores how real romance is rarely tidy. The tension between Chioma and Obiora doesn’t come from dramatic gestures or grand proclamations alone—it lives in the push and pull, the pointed truths, and the moments of longing that make their connection feel real. 

    It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s exactly what makes their chemistry unforgettable.

    Watch Love In Every Word on YouTube.

    7. Soft Love (2024)

    Running time: 1h 54m
    Director: Holmes Awa
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    There’s heartbreak, and then there’s being left humiliated at the altar. That’s the baggage Zandi Jele (Cindy Mahlangu), a South African relationship guru ironically out of faith in love, carries into Soft Love. 

    Edward Obi (Efa Iwara) is a Nigerian photographer dodging his own romantic scars, when suddenly, what starts as polite camaraderie blooms into a delicate, cross-continental connection. 

    The film thrives in the push and pull—funny, almost-embarrassed exchanges rubbing up against sincere moments that feel too vulnerable to fake. Mahlangu and Iwara spark in a way that makes “reparative love” (corny on paper, swoony on screen) believable. 

    It’s a romance that doesn’t just cross borders—it softens them. 

    Watch Soft Love on Prime Video.


    READ NEXT: How These 10 Fictional Nollywood Couples Will Celebrate Valentine’s Day


    6. The Wedding Party (2016)

    Running time: 1h 50m
    Director: Kemi Adetiba
    Genre: Romantic Comedy

    The movie that basically invented the modern Nollywood blockbuster formula. On paper, it’s a simple setup: Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi-Wellington), finally tying the knot with Dozie Onwuka (Banky W), an IT golden boy. 

    But nothing about this wedding is simple. Parents feud, in-laws meddle, exes crash, vendors collapse, and chaos sweeps through every chandelier-lit corner of the reception. Somehow, in the middle of all that glittering mess, Dunni and Dozie’s love feels both aspirational and painfully real. 

    The chemistry isn’t glossy perfection—it’s in the little cracks: her doubts, his pressure to hold it all together, and the way they still choose each other through the madness. It’s not just a romcom; it’s a Nollywood fairy tale in gele and champagne.

    Watch The Wedding Party on MUBI.

    5. The Perfect Lie (2025)

    Running time: 1h 52m
    Director: Magnifique Ecrivaine
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    Alero (Ekama Etim-Inyang) is an independent lawyer. Kunle (Michael Dappa) is a tech-savvy school rival. In Lagos, where renting an apartment can feel like navigating a minefield, these two are forced into a convenient lie: pretend they’re married to beat a biased system.

    What starts as strategy quickly spirals into chaos—fake wedding photos, nosy neighbors, clashing boundaries, and the kind of unexpected attraction that refuses to stay fake. Both are witty, flawed, and unapologetically human, making every awkward moment feel like real life. Beneath the jokes and staged smiles, the story asks: when does pretending end and real love begin?

    Watch The Perfect Lie on YouTube.

    4. Big Love (2023)

    Running time: 1h 42m
    Director: Biodun Stephen
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    Adil (Timini Egbuson), the golden boy with drive and family privilege, collides again with Adina (Bimbo Ademoye), the fiercely independent woman he once knew back in school. At first, their chemistry sparks in the banter and flirtation of a reunion, but it quickly grows into something harder to deny. 

    The catch? Adina is secretly a single mother, terrified that her reality will cost her both love and opportunity. When Adil bends the truth to his family—claiming her son as his own—the stakes rise from sweet romance to messy entanglement. 

    Big Love thrives in this tension, layering charm and tenderness with the weight of judgment, secrets, and societal expectations. Through it all, Adil and Adina’s connection feels lived-in and undeniable: not just “will they or won’t they,” but “can love survive the lies we tell to protect it?”

    Watch Big Love on Prime Video.


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    3. This Lady Called Life (2014)

    Running time: 2h
    Director: Kayode Kasum
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    Aiye (Bisola Aiyeola), a single mother and aspiring chef abandoned by her family, tries to make a space for her dreams in Lagos. 

    She meets Obinna (Efa Iwara), a romantic who isn’t flashy but whose kindness and steady belief in her pull the story forward. Their chemistry is built in the small things: stolen looks during tense family moments, quiet encouragement and laughter in the face of hardship.

    It’s genuine because both Aiye and Obinna carry pain, fears, and hopes. But what makes their connection richer is that love becomes healing, instead of an escape.

    Watch This Lady Called Life on MUBI.

    2. Flower Girl (2013)

    Running time: 1h 33m
    Director: Michelle Bello
    Genre: Romcom

    This movie is built on the “fake relationship to real feelings” trope, and it executes it with flair and humour. Kemi (Damilola Adegbite) is a hopeful florist in love with her long-term boyfriend, Umar (Chris Attoh), but drama ensues when that relationship starts to feel stale.

    We meet Tunde (Blossom Chukwujeku), a movie star, by accident after Kemi has a minor accident delivering flowers. He helps her with a plan to make Umar jealous by posing as her new beau. Their chemistry is intense because it comes from two people thrust into vulnerability, which makes every laugh, longing, look, and moment of jealousy count. This is the kind of romcom where you believe in love as it unfolds.

    Watch Flower Girl on Prime Video.

    1. Isoken (2017)

    Running time: 1h 40m
    Director: Jadesola Osiberu
    Genre: Romcom, Drama

    This movie cracks the “10/10 chemistry” energy wide open by focusing on Isoken herself. She seems to have it all — looks, family, success — but is under pressure for being unmarried at 34 in a culture where marriage is a must. Her mother arranges a match with Osaze (Joseph Benjamin), “the perfect Edo man.”

    But things take a turn when Isoken meets Kevin (Marc Rhys), a white photojournalist. Something about him makes her question what her family and tradition expect of her. Their chemistry is strong because her vulnerability is grounded, there’s emotional tension between duty and personal desire, and Kevin brings charm and cultural contrast. But Isoken is more than a love story; it stands out for exploring race, identity, tradition, and self-love.

    Watch Isoken on MUBI.


    ALSO READ: The 10 Greatest Nollywood Acting Couples, Ranked


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  • This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.


    Every artist has that one song they wish could be removed from their catalogue — the track that makes them wince whenever fans scream at shows, or the one they recorded just to please a label, a producer, or even their younger self who didn’t know better. 

    Not every gamble pays off in the fast-paced world of Nigerian music, where trends shift as quickly as TikTok sounds. Sometimes, the beat slaps, but the lyrics age poorly. Other times, the song simply doesn’t represent who the artist has grown to become.

    In this list, we revisit 10 Nigerian artists who are brutally honest about the songs they’d delete if they could. 

    “It’s too vulnerable and it shouldn’t have been for public consumption.” — Sewà, singer-songwriter.

    I just released my latest single, “Àsìkò,” and many people loved it. But what they don’t know is that the songwriting’s backstory isn’t sweet.

    My mom’s friend’s daughter got married, which prompted my mom to ask me if I was seeing anyone. I told her I wasn’t and was focusing on only music for now. She said it was no problem, and I should take my time, whenever I’m ready.

    After that conversation, I felt a little down and birthed the chorus: “Asiko n lo, oun lo o / Tell me when do I feel loved?”

    The message has three parts for me. The first is a question of “Do I love myself?” The second is, “How do I love you if I don’t even love myself?” and the third is, “Why do you love people who don’t care about you?”

    It’s too vulnerable and shouldn’t have been for public consumption.

    Even one of my backup singers isn’t comfortable singing a part of the song where I say, “Do I even love myself?” That song should never have seen the light of day. Sitting in my vault, it’s one of those songs that should have been something solely for me.

    “How could I be celebrating a new release when people were fighting for justice and getting shot at?” — Mo’Gunz, rapper and singer.

    I remember the #EndSARS protest in 2020 clearly, but not in the way most people do. While the streets were filled with protesters and youths fighting for their lives, I was at home, celebrating. I had just released a new song titled “Top Boy.” The plan was to do a big social media push, get it everywhere, and celebrate the moment.

    I was so focused on the drop. The song was a banger; it was something I’d worked on for months, and I was so proud of it. We had the artwork ready, the marketing plan, everything. I was on my phone, watching the streams go up, feeling that rush. But then I looked outside: people were marching and chanting. My friends were posting videos from the protests, their voices thick with anger and passion.

    It hit me all at once. My new song was completely out of touch with the reality on ground. How could I be celebrating a new release when people were in the streets, fighting for justice and getting shot at? The moment I realised it, my excitement turned to shame. I pulled back from all the promotion, but it was too late. The song was out there. To this day, it’s a reminder of a bad decision.


    Subscribe to Zikoko Pop newsletter, The Feed, for the most important pop culture news


    “The producer came back again and asked to be added as a primary artist to the release.” — Eniola Havoc, rapper.

    Early in 2023, I was invited to a recording camp by a producer, and I was the only artist there. After transporting myself to the location and back with my money, the day ended quite productive and we made two songs. Not long after the session, the producer sent me an mp3 mixdown of just one of the songs we made together.

    At the time I had a two-year management contract I was running on, but I had the creative freedom to make whatever I wanted. I played that one song I got off the session to my team, and they were confident the song would make a perfect single for the album I was making at the time. Months after that initial recording session, I called the producer to let him know my plans for the record and even offered a 50% split. He agreed to the terms, but insisted I give him an advance payment.

    A year later, I officially released the song, titled “She A 10”, after so much drama and stalling, the producer came back again with a different request and asked to be added as a primary artist to the release. At that point I was already drained after spending over a hundred thousand naira on the post production and the distribution. It didn’t feel like it was worth the stress anymore. So, I didn’t give in to his request.

    The producer took the song down. In less than a month, he came again, trying to get me to put the song back up on DSPs, but I was done and ignored him. The song is still on Audiomack, but that’s it.

    Meanwhile, he didn’t even talk about the second song we made or send me a mixdown like he did with the first one. In fact, I still haven’t heard it since 2023 when we made it.

    “One can tell that it was just a good day in the studio, not a lot of thoughts were put into it.” — Mo’Believe, singer-songwriter.

    I should have thought of a better plan before I released “Perfect (Ebe)” in 2020. My producer and I were on a high when we made that song, just two guys in a room, happy to be making music. You can hear it in the track; it’s pure studio euphoria. No big plan or deep thought, just a good vibe. I listened to it and thought, “What’s the harm in putting this out?” My team loved it, so I figured that was all the sign I needed. I released it without a second thought.

    And then, nothing. The song just existed. It didn’t blow up, but it didn’t flop either. I thought I should’ve had a better plan to push it. But looking back now, maybe why the song just sat there, adding nothing to my career, good or bad, was because one can easily tell that it was just a good day in the studio and there weren’t a lot of thoughts put into it.

    I released the song in the spur of the moment, and now I have a track out there that I wish I shelved for good or took the time to properly finish. Though I’m learning these days that songs are like kids, we give birth to them, but can’t be sure what they’d turn out to be. The best I can do is put out what I won’t hate releasing after some time.


    READ NEXT: Had I Known: 8 Nigerian Actors and the Roles They Regret Turning Down


    “I realised the title itself carried a perception I did not want associated with me.” — Samvsthekids, rapper and singer.

    The year was 2023, and I had just arrived in Enugu for my youth service. The city had an energy I immediately connected with, and I was soaking it all in, meeting people, exploring, and feeling inspired.

    It was around that time I linked up with Jubal (J-V-B-A-L), a talented producer from the University of Nigeria, and Munna, an experimental alternative rapper. We decided to make a track that sampled a trending sound at the time called “On Colos.” Just to be clear, the song was not about glorifying any substance, it was just a vibe, a piece of music we felt people would enjoy. And they did.

    We performed it a few times, and the audience loved it. On Spotify alone, it racked up over 10,000 streams in just a few months. It felt like one of those moments where everything clicks, and you cannot help but smile at the reception.

    Fast forward to 2024, when I finished NYSC and stepped into the professional workforce. A few weeks into my new role, some of my superiors discovered my TikTok, and specifically, that song. I was called into HR. The conversation could have been intimidating, but I did not panic. I just said something along the lines of, “Ma, if you are the one who sings like this, will you not post it online?”

    Was I bold? Definitely. Surprising? Absolutely. But it worked. I left the room calm and unshaken.

    As I continued to grow professionally, I started reflecting on the song. Even though the message was not about the substance, I realised the title itself carried a perception I did not want associated with me professionally. So, I made the tough decision to take the song down, even though it had been one of my most popular tracks.

    “I had to remove a long-time friend from that record just to fit in this artist’s verse.” — Sosa TTW, rapper and producer.

    There was an artist I really wanted to collaborate with in 2022. I reached out, and at first, he acted interested and responded like he was down to do it. But then, out of nowhere, he ghosted me. No replies. Nothing.

    Trying to keep the idea alive, I decided to offer payment for a verse. As soon as money came into the picture, he suddenly showed up again, responsive, cooperative and ready to record. We agreed and he sent in his verse. As the release date approached, his manager started acting very enthusiastic. He even said I should be open and communicate with them about the release. The artist echoed the same sentiment. They both made it seem like we were all on the same page and excited to push the song.

    When the song finally dropped and I reached out to the manager for help with Audiomack support, he hit me with, “Do I work at Audiomack?” That one sentence told me everything I needed to know.

    The artist barely did any promo, but when it came time to talk about royalties, he was quick to ask for his share.

    What makes it worse is that I had to remove a long-time friend from that record just to fit in this artist’s verse. I made that choice thinking it would elevate the track. In hindsight, I regret releasing the song at all and that was eventually pushed me to remove it from all DSPs.


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    “That shit hurt my motivation, for real.” — T.O.D SZN, rapper.

    So far, in my career, I’ve tried out a bunch of different sounds. I’ve never been scared of new beats and styles. That’s how I keep my creation process natural and unforced.

    I once made a song titled “Fall” in January 2024. It’s a drill song with trap influences, and I delivered a strong vocal performance in both pidgin and English. When I played this song for friends and sent it out to fellow creatives, their heads bopped uncontrollably. They urged me to drop as a matter of urgency, and with the way the drill soundscape was gaining popularity, I felt like that was the best idea. I was feeling myself and thought I had done something special with the song.

    But it didn’t drop on time. I relocated to the U.K and had to get acclimated with my new environment and figure many things out first. This led to a 6-month hiatus. When I got back to music and was ready to release the song, I thought, “Why give them one song, when I can put out an EP and make them understand what’s been going on with me?”

    So, I added three other songs alongside “Fall”. When I eventually did release the tape in August, “Fall” would get the lowest streams across all platforms. Mentally, I couldn’t understand why no one was listening to this one in particular. I thought it was the best.

    What exactly I did wrong with that track, I don’t know. I used to think I should have packaged it as a single, but from the way it was regarded and overlooked, I’d say I’d rather have not dropped and enjoyed that one with my friends.

    “After a deep reflection, I began to see why they thought the line signals tribalism.” — VRSD, rapper.

    In 2020, I released an EP that has a song titled “Hold Your Glass,” a straight up braggadocious display of lyricism. Everyone that jammed it when it dropped loved it. I received great responses. Someone even said, “This is the kind of rap jam one would expect from the OGs.” I felt good about that compliment.

    Then in 2021, I joined a cypher and rap battle competition to win $1,000. I prepared seven fresh verses and added the verses from “Hold My Glass” to it. I made it to the second tier of the competition. When it was my turn to battle again, I went hard, using the verses from “Hold My Glass.” I was confident AF in what I did. 

    When it was time to get the verdict, I was disqualified. Why? A few of the judges didn’t like one of my lines: “I came from where the Civil War hero came from / Benjamin Adekunle, the Black Scorpion.”

    In all honesty that’s a clever line and an homage to someone from my town. The person just happened to participate in the Nigerian Civil War, which in the judges opinion shouldn’t have been lauded..

    I lost that round and any chance of winning the prize money. After a deep reflection, several listens and deciphering of my own lyrics, I began to see why they thought the line signals tribalism, even though it wasn’t my intention. Now, I have a song out that people are likely to call tribalistic streaming.

    I’m not a big fan of the song anymore, but I really regret not realising what those judges did before I put it out.

    “What made me regret putting it out was when my seven-year-old nephew found that particular song.” — TillDayBreak, rapper.

    So, I made a song titled “Spiritual” in 2023 and it’s about sexcapades and smoking weed, but I don’t indulge in those in real life. Over time, I began to feel weird and cringe whenever I heard it play. It isn’t who I am and doesn’t represent me in any way.

    But what caused the regret of putting it out was when my seven-year-old nephew, who is a big fan of my music, picked up his mom’s phone to search for my music and found the track. I felt shame, like I had disappointed the little lad. From thereon, I have kept most of my songs socially conscious and PG-13.

    “I was completely consumed by grief and couldn’t even think about promoting the music.” — Don Mappy, singer-songwriter.

    I had just recovered from a nasty femur fracture that happened in late 2020, when I got back to making music. I poured everything I had into a new EP, a project that was deeply personal to me. I even titled it Ad Meliora, which means “towards better things.” I was ready to move past the injury and the struggle. The first track, “Anytime,” was one of the best records I’d ever created. I felt it was a strong start, a sign of better things to come.

    I dropped the EP on July 7th, 2022. Just five days later, on July 12th, my dad passed away.

    Suddenly, the whole meaning of Ad Meliora felt twisted. It was a cruel irony. I was completely consumed by grief and couldn’t even think about promoting the music. The project just… dropped. All that effort, all that hope, and it landed with no post-release promotion. I struggled with grief and eventually took it down. Looking back, I just wish I hadn’t released it when I did.


    Do you have a story of regret? Share it with us by filling out this form.


    ALSO READ: How Nigerians Become Notorious on the Internet


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  • The music industry is full of horror stories, but nothing prepares you for when the nightmare comes from the very people who once shook your hand as brothers.

    At the heart of this story is Papi Gunzo, an artist and collaborator whose attempt to help spirals into a costly battle.

    What began as an act of friendship and creativity and was supposed to be a rescue mission for a talented friend, an artist trapped in a suffocating management deal, quickly unravelled into a cautionary tale of control, betrayal, and the hidden traps that lie within the music industry’s machinery.

    This is Papi Gunzo’s story as told to Marv.

    I had an artist-friend, someone I worked closely with. She was signed to a big-name management company, the type that handled the top Afrobeats stars. But her career was suffocating. She recorded countless songs, some with me, some with others, yet none ever came out. She cried, begged, fought, pleaded, but nothing. Her label locked her music in a vault, and she was breaking down before our eyes.

    Nothing worked. She came to cry to me and some of our other friends. It worried me and other friends she informed about it. So, instead of watching our friend waste away under a management deal, I came up with a plan. We’d release a joint project under my name, with me providing the production. On paper, the royalties and credit would be hers. My distributor would handle the release, and this way, her music could finally see daylight.

    It was a great plan. We were all happy about it and got to work.


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    We made magic together — songs, a three-track EP we were incredibly proud of. We got it ready for release and informed her manager of our plans. He was happy to be part of the process. He even signed off on the splitsheet when I sent it, and a few months before the release of the EP, he gave us money to push the project, pledging full support. Everything seemed clear.

    My distributor, after asking if I could vouch for my friend and assure them there wouldn’t be any issue, released the EP. I came through for my friend. I delivered on my word.

    When the EP dropped, though, she wasn’t promoting it. I was concerned and reached out to her to ask why she was holding back. Our conversation ended with her agreeing to make content. And she did. She sent me the content. They were good. I was happy for her. But then I didn’t see them online.

    She said her management took the posts down and stopped her from promoting the EP. She said she reposted the content again, but they pulled it down, saying she needed permission. Still, I told myself it wasn’t really my project and I moved on.


    READ NEXT: My Mother Is a CAC Prophetess. But After My Sister Died From a Spiritual Attack, I Left the Church


    One morning, a year later, I woke up to a nightmare.

    An email from my distributor’s lawyer said I was in breach of contract. Someone had flagged the songs on the EP for copyright infringement, and if I couldn’t counter it within 48 hours, my distribution deal and all the other conversations I had on the table would vanish.

    I was furious, confused. I knew I hadn’t stolen anyone’s work. So, I dug. And what I uncovered stung the most: the person who flagged the EP and filed the takedown was none other than my friend’s manager: the same man who had given us money, arranged studio sessions, signed the splitsheet, and smiled in my face as a brother. 

    It’s messed up, and it really got to me because we have a personal relationship. He was supposed to be a brother to me. We didn’t have any beef or problems. In fact, just a week earlier, before the copyright infringement issue, he had invited me to his house, and we had even hung out together.

    When I confronted her manager, his excuse was that he had “missed” the splitsheet. Out of anger, I stripped away all respect and asked him straight: “What the fuck is going on, man? You’ve invited me cheerfully to your house before. Why couldn’t you use the same energy and just tell me face-to-face that the project wouldn’t work?” 

    He said he was following orders. Then he apologised and had the audacity to give me a condition that if I wanted to keep those three songs (the EP), I should forfeit my production fees and only be paid for some seven other unreleased songs I had made with her. This would cost me about ₦2m, just to salvage three tracks that hadn’t even earned me £1. Imagine that!

    I refused. Then, I swung into action and sent a request to my distributor, in all caps: “TAKE THAT SHIT DOWN.” I wanted the EP permanently taken down. After that, I gave the manager a condition too, that if within three months, they fail to clear the other seven songs she made with me, the management company would lose the rights forever.

    My friend, on the other hand, was just as shocked. She couldn’t help me or pacify anyone on my behalf. She just kept crying and apologising to me. I had to calm her down and console her because it was her manager moving weirdly, not her.


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    Eventually, I received my payment from the management company. But since that incident, the relationship with my distributor hasn’t been the same. Direct access and strength of promotion haven’t been the same. Before I could call or ask for a meeting on demand. I mail in the morning, and I get a reply a couple of hours later or at most, the next morning. Everything went well until after the issue. The first time I noticed, I sent an email, and for two weeks, there was no response. Later, I got hit with a “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see it. It’s so bad, all the songs that I have released since that incident haven’t got any support from them. Whenever I reach out to ask what’s going on, they’d say they missed my emails, they were on leave or holiday. 

    I still have access to my backend and can release music under them whenever I want, but there won’t be any form of support from them. There’s no point releasing with my distributor anymore if they won’t offer any support and access. 

    I might as well pay DistroKid and keep the 30% that would have gone to them. I have repeatedly tried to explain my story and show that I can be trustworthy and be a reliable business partner, but they aren’t hearing me out. The Head of Distribution just stopped replying altogether. I’m moving on.

    All this, because I tried to help a friend stuck in a bad management deal. Looking back, I regret ever putting that project out.

    I could have been sued for copyright infringement. But the documented splitsheet and the paper trail I kept were my saving grace. It protected me from losing everything. But the damage was done.

    Right now, all I’m focused on is getting bags, finding creative ways to release my music. I have some serious Afrobeats and Hip-Hop bangers lined up — I’m open to a platform that’s ready to distribute them properly.


    ALSO READ: Had I Known: 8 Nigerian Actors and the Roles They Regret Turning Down


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  • Musician, Rema, has been accused by a user on X, Philomena Obasi, in a series of now-deleted tweets of using the Nigeria Police Force to “bully” her sister, Amaka Obasi, an interior designer.

    In posts shared Tuesday evening, Obasi alleged that Rema had “used the police” to arrest her sister “unjustly” and appealed for help.

    “Please my sister has a case where she is being BULLIED by a CELEBRITY, REMA, @heisrema, who reached out to her for an interior decoration contract. They’ve used police to arrest her unjustly, please help us try to get her out,” one post read.

    In a statement from his lawyers, Rema dismissed the accusations as “false and misleading information.”

    Here’s everything we know so far:

    Rema Reached Out to Amaka Obasi

    According to Rema’s legal team, he contacted Obasi’s Ardeb Lifestyle Company, whom he had worked with before, in September 2024 to renovate his Lagos home. 

    They said the project was expected to be completed by December 2024, but she failed to deliver. At that point, they claimed, Rema began to suspect that she had been attempting to defraud him.

    “Investigations into Ms. Amaka Obasi’s repeated failure to deliver the project within the agreed timelines revealed that she conspired and acted in concert with our Client’s former personal assistant, to deliberately and grossly inflate the prices of materials, services, and labour purportedly required for the project, all while delivering substandard work,” the statement read.

    “This gross inflation of costs was neither accidental nor incidental, but calculated and executed with the clear intent to deceive and defraud our Client.”


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    What is Amaka Obasi’s team saying?

    However, a user on X identified as @software_artist alleged in a post on Tuesday that Rema later asked Obasi to add a music studio and an improved water system management to the project, tasks that they said were not part of the original agreement.

    It remains unclear if those additions were completed. But @software_artist claimed that when Obasi requested payment, Rema refused and instead involved law enforcement agents from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon.

    Did Rema pay Amaka Obasi?

    Rema’s team countered @software_artist, stating that he had paid her for “the majority” of her services.

    “Despite receiving the majority of the contract payments, Ms. Amaka Obasi wholly failed to provide services or deliver work commensurate with the substantial payments made to her,” the statement said.

    They further accused her of doing substandard work and using “unapproved materials.”

    “She carried out work that was substandard, grossly defective, and far below the agreed specifications and acceptable industry standards, including the use of unapproved materials, poor workmanship and incomplete installations, all of which undermined the structural integrity and functionality of the project,” Rema’s lawyers said.

    They added that Obasi inflated costs and tried to defraud him. 

    “Ms. Amaka Obasi’s deliberate misrepresentation of costs, workmanship, and progress coupled with her repeated failure to deliver within stipulated timeline clearly demonstrates a deliberate intent to deceive and defraud our Client, to obtain money by false pretence, and to fraudulently enrich herself at our Client’s expense,” they said.

    “Ms. Obasi’s actions, including unjustified demands for additional funds, constitute a pattern of fraud, extortion and financial exploitation of our Client.”


    READ NEXT: Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux’s Son Is Already Instagram Famous


    When did the police first arrest Amaka Obasi?

    According to @software_artist, Obasi was invited to a meeting with Rema’s lawyers, but was instead arrested by FCID officers. The user alleged she had to pay more than ₦1 million as bail.

    “The police asked her to turn off her phone last week so that Rema will think she’s still in custody. She was arrested and detained yesterday after honoring an invitation from the Police with her lawyer,” the post read.

    What is the FCID saying?

    The FCID later issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that Obasi, through her company Arden Lifestyle Company, had agreed to a project valued at ₦386,000,000. The agency said Rema paid her ₦287,000,000.

    It added that after an investigation, it discovered that “Miss Obasi failed to meet the terms of the signed agreement and instead transferred part of the money to another account.”

    “Both parties were accordingly advised to engage an independent valuer to ascertain the position of funds and project execution. Instead, Miss Obasi declined to provide either a valuer’s report or a legal representative until she was eventually apprehended today,” the FCID said.

    What is Amaka Obasi’s team saying about the FCID investigation?

    @software_artist claimed that Obasi’s arrest was part of a pattern, alleging that Rema had used the police against her three times during the course of the project.

    “Throughout the course of this project he has harassed and arrested her with police 3 times and now she’s currently in detention,” the user posted.


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    Rema’s team accuse Amaka Obasi of violating NDA

    Rema’s team also said Obasi and a former personal assistant violated a non-disclosure agreement by leaking sensitive information. 

    His lawyers said this was why Rema filed a petition with the Nigeria Police Force, which subsequently arrested Obasi and the former assistant on charges including fraud, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence.

    “This unauthorized disclosure of highly sensitive personal and proprietary data underscores the seriousness of her misconduct and the damage caused to our Client,” they said. 

    “These actions, taken together with her prior fraudulent misrepresentations, highlight the calculated intent to cause financial and reputational harm.”

    What is the situation currently?

    Obasi’s sister, Philomena Obasi, said that she is still in police custody. 

    Rema’s team said that Obasi was only rearrested because she failed to meet the terms of her bail. They added that the matter is still under investigation

    “The matter remains under investigation by the relevant authorities, and steps are being taken to ensure that the law runs its full course against all persons found culpable,” Rema’s team said.


    ALSO READ: The 10 Best International Collaborations in Nigerian Music


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  • Romance might be a staple of Nollywood storylines, but sometimes the love continues long after the cameras stop rolling. From sparks that flew on set to relationships nurtured through mutual friends and shared creative spaces, several Nollywood stars have found real-life partners within the industry. 

    These unions show that Nollywood isn’t just about blockbuster scripts and iconic performances—it’s also about the genuine connections formed behind the scenes.

    Here are the 10 greatest Nollywood actors who are actual real-life couples.

    10. Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan

    Razak Olayiwola, widely known by his stage name Ojopagogo, and Moji Afolayan are one of the most respected veteran couples in Yoruba Nollywood. Their love story began on a movie set in Ibadan, where they first met while working on a film project. After courting for two years, they tied the knot in 2003, beginning a marriage that has endured alongside their flourishing careers.

    Both accomplished in their own right, Razak is admired for his comic timing and versatility, while Moji—daughter of the legendary Ade Love and sister to Kunle Afolayan—carries on her family’s rich filmmaking legacy. Together, they’ve appeared in several Yoruba films, including Tojubole, where their real-life connection translates effortlessly on screen.

    Nearly two decades later, they remain a beloved Nollywood couple, celebrated for balancing family, tradition, and artistry in the industry.

    9. Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun

    Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun, popularly known as Afeez Owo, are one of the most enduring couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Their love story is deeply rooted in Nollywood history—Afeez was once the manager of Mide’s mother, the late veteran actress Funmi Martins. Having grown up together, their friendship gradually blossomed into a romance that led to marriage.

    The couple has been married for over two decades, building both a family and successful careers side by side. On screen, they have appeared together in films such as Oju Inu and Eye Aparo, where their real-life bond adds an extra layer of authenticity to their performances.

    Today, Mide and Afeez are celebrated not only for their individual contributions to Yoruba cinema but also for their resilience as a couple who have stood the test of time in both love and career.


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    8. Stan Nze and Blessing Nze

    Stan Nze and Blessing Nze are one of Nollywood’s newer celebrity couples, tying the knot in 2021. Their relationship sparked plenty of conversation, particularly because of their age difference (Stan is 36 and Blessing is 43), but the pair have remained unbothered by social expectations, choosing instead to focus on building a happy marriage and thriving careers.

    Since getting married, they’ve delighted fans by appearing together in films such as Irresistible You and Husband Man, where their natural chemistry shines through. Both accomplished in their own right—Stan with critically acclaimed performances in projects like Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), and Blessing with her multifaceted work as an actress and producer—the couple continue to prove that love and partnership can flourish in the spotlight.

    7. Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi

    Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi are one of Nollywood’s most popular power couples, especially within the Yoruba film industry. 

    Toyin is an award-winning actress, director, and producer celebrated for her range in both comedy and drama, with standout performances in Elevator Baby (2019), The Prophetess (2021), and her Alakada franchise. Kolawole, an accomplished actor in his own right, has starred in films such as Iyalode, Alakada: Bad and Boujee (2023), and Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022). They have also starred in movies together, with Kola playing Cash in Alakada: Bad and Boujee.

    The two went public with their relationship in 2019, often sharing glimpses of their family life and creative journeys on social media.

    6. Iyke Okechukwu and Florence Okechukwu

    Iyke and Florence Okechukwu are yet another Nollywood couple whose love story blossomed on the set of Tinsel. Playing the fan-favourite couple Chuks and Ene, their on-screen romance won the hearts of viewers across Nigeria. What many didn’t know at first was that the chemistry went beyond acting—it was the beginning of a real-life love story.

    In 2013, the pair tied the knot, turning their scripted romance into a lifelong commitment. Today, they share a family together while continuing to build their individual careers in Nollywood. Their relationship remains one of the most heartwarming examples of how on-screen love can beautifully spill into real life.


    READ NEXT: 10 Times Nollywood Stars Perfectly Played Real Nigerians


    5. Norbert Young and Gloria Young

    Norbert and Gloria Young stand among Nollywood’s most respected veteran couples, with a marriage that has thrived for more than two decades. Norbert has built a reputation as a versatile actor, memorable for his roles in beloved series like Family Circle and Tinsel, as well as powerful performances in films such as King of Boys (2018) and The Black Book (2023). 

    Gloria, who began her career as a journalist, made her breakthrough in the Nollywood classic Glamour Girls (1994). She has since continued to shine in acclaimed films like Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) and The Weekend.

    They have both appeared in movies such as Choke. Beyond their filmography, the Youngs are celebrated not only for their individual accomplishments but also for their longevity as a couple—embodying stability, grace, and resilience both on and off the screen.

    4. Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman

    Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor’s romance is one of Nollywood’s sweetest “from set to real life” love stories. The two first met as co-stars on the long-running M-Net series Tinsel, where they played love interests. What began as a professional collaboration soon grew into a close friendship, and eventually, a real relationship that fans couldn’t help but root for.

    Their bond culminated in a beautiful wedding in 2018, celebrated widely across the Nollywood community. Since then, they’ve continued to shine both individually and together, with Ibrahim building his career as an actor and creative, and Linda balancing motherhood with her acclaimed screen performances.

    Their journey from Tinsel co-stars to real-life partners remains a fan-favourite Nollywood love story.

    3. Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji

    Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji are one of the most beloved couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Known for their effortless on-screen chemistry, the pair starred together in films like Deja Vu and That One Time, where their performances sparked rumours of a romance long before they confirmed it.

    For a while, they kept fans guessing, denying dating speculations despite appearing in multiple productions side by side. But in December 2021, they surprised the industry with a stunning wedding that quickly became a trending celebration across Nigeria.

    Today, Lateef and Mo Bimpe continue to dominate Nollywood as individuals and as a couple, balancing thriving acting careers with a marriage that has made them one of the industry’s favourite love stories.

    2. Bankole “Banky W” Wellington and Adesua Etomi-Wellington

    Few Nollywood love stories have captured the public’s imagination quite like Banky W and Adesua Etomi-Wellington’s. Their romance began to swell among fans after their appearance in The Wedding Party (2016), where they played a couple navigating the chaos of a glamorous Lagos wedding. The chemistry was so natural that fans speculated long before the pair confirmed that life was imitating art.

    Off-screen, their relationship quickly blossomed. They announced their engagement in 2017, and their lavish, multi-day wedding—spanning traditional and white ceremonies—was one of the most talked-about celebrity events of the year.

    Since then, the “IT” couple has remained a fixture in Nollywood and beyond. Adesua continues to shine as one of the industry’s most versatile actresses, while Banky W balances music, acting, and politics. Together, they’ve also appeared in The Wedding Party 2 (2017), cementing their on-screen and real-life partnership as one of Nollywood’s most iconic.

    1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

    Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva are by far one of Nollywood’s ultimate power couples. Their love story began in 1981 at the National Theatre in Lagos during Nigeria’s 21st Independence anniversary, and it has grown into one of the industry’s most enduring partnerships. Both actors have carved out remarkable careers spanning stage, television, and film, earning them legendary status at home and abroad.

    Beyond their personal relationship, they have also built a creative empire together. They co-founded the Lufodo Group, which houses the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, a training ground for young actors and filmmakers.

    On-screen, the couple has shared their chemistry in films like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017). Their joint appearances remind fans why they are not only celebrated individually but also cherished as a duo whose artistry and love have shaped Nollywood across generations.


    ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Actors Who Used to Be Famous and What They Do Now


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  • Collaborations have long been central to Nigerian music’s global rise. From early exchanges that brought juju and Afrobeat to Western ears, to today’s gospel and Afrobeats remixes topping charts worldwide, international pairings have done more than boost streams, they’ve changed how the world engages with Nigerian music.

    In selecting the best international collaborations Nigerian music, we looked past headlines to songs where both sides brought something essential, and where the Nigerian voice remained at the centre. This list highlights ten of the most impactful collaborations, chosen for their artistic chemistry, cultural influence, and the ways they helped redefine Nigerian music on the world stage.

    10. “Peru” — Fireboy DML

    Running time: 3m 7s

    Featured artist: Ed Sheeran

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2021

    When Fireboy DML dropped“Peru” with British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in December 2021, the result was an electric banger that went far beyond Africa’s borders.

    “Peru” peaked at #2 on the UK Official Singles Chart, earned diamond certification in France and charted in over 20 countries. It also became one of the most-streamed Afrobeats collaborations ever, cementing Fireboy’s global rise.

    9. “Monsters You Made” — Burna Boy

    Running time: 3m 37s

    Featured artist: Chris Martin

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2023

    Burna Boy’s music sometimes is a vessel for political consciousness, and “Monsters You Made” featuring Coldplay’s Chris Martin is one of the sharpest examples of that vision. Released as part of Burna’s Grammy-winning album Twice As Tall, the song is a searing protest anthem that confronts the legacies of colonialism, systemic oppression, and the cycles of violence they create.

    The timing of its release, in the wake of global conversations about police brutality, racial injustice, and protests like #EndSARS in Nigeria and #BlackLivesMatter worldwide, gave the song additional urgency. It stands out as one of the most unique international collaborations in Nigerian music.

    8. “Nara” — Tim Godfrey

    Running time: 4m 56s

    Featured artist: Travis Greene

    Genre: Contemporary Gospel

    Release year: 2018

    Nigerian gospel artist Tim Godfrey solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary African gospel with the release of “Nara,” a worship anthem that resonated far beyond church walls. The song, inspired by gratitude and faith, features Grammy-nominated American gospel singer, Travis Greene.

    The track’s production, rich with choir backing, dynamic instrumentation and a call-and-response structure, make it perfect for both personal devotion and large congregational gatherings. Though deeply rooted in Nigerian Christian worship traditions, its message is universal.


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    7. “Blow My Mind” — Davido

    Running time: 3s 19s

    Featured artist: Chris Brown

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2019

    Davido’s link up with American R&B superstar Chris Brown for “Blow My Mind” remains one of the clearest signs of Afrobeats’ growing integration into mainstream global music. The track leans into a smooth fusion of Afrobeats rhythms and R&B melodies that give colour to Davido’s signature energy and Chris Brown’s sultry vocals.

    The single also dominated streaming platforms, becoming one of Davido’s most successful international releases, peaking high on charts across continents. Beyond its streaming milestones, “Blow My Mind” showed that popular Nigerian music had evolved to a point where partnerships with international megastars could happen on equal footing, not as token features, but as genuine collaborations where both voices carried weight.


    READ NEXT: The 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos Of All Time On YouTube


    6. “Excess Love (Remix)” — Chioma Jesus

    Running time: 8m 27s

    Featured artist: J J Hairston & Youthful Praise

    Genre: Contemporary Gospel

    Release year: 2019

    Few Nigerian gospel songs have achieved the reach and resonance of “Excess Love,” the 2018 breakout single by Mercy Chinwo. With its simple yet profound lyrics proclaiming the overwhelming and unconditional love of God, the song quickly became a staple in churches and gospel circles across Africa and the diaspora.

    The 2019 remix elevates the track into new territory by bringing in American gospel powerhouse, JJ Hairston and his choir, Youthful Praise, who are known for high-energy worship and strong choral arrangements. The interplay between Mercy’s soulful and emotive delivery and the choir’s powerful harmonies created a version that felt bigger, more universal and perfectly suited for global worship spaces.

    5. “Chop My Money (Remix)” — P-Square

    Running time: 4m 32s

    Featured artist:s May D & Akon

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2012

    P-Square already established themselves as one of Africa’s biggest pop duos, but “Chop My Money (Remix)” with Akon and May D elevated their profile on the global stage. Adding Akon, a Senegalese-American superstar with a massive international following, gave the track an extra layer of global appeal. The collaboration wasn’t just a casual link-up. It followed P-Square’s landmark joint venture deal with Akon’s Konvict Muzik in 2011, which signaled their ambitions to expand beyond African borders.

    Culturally, the track represents a turning point. It’s one of the first mainstream Nigerian collaborations with an internationally recognised African diaspora star who had already conquered Western charts. At the time, it also set a precedent for more Nigerian artists to pursue strategic collaborations as a pathway to international recognition.

    4. “Ase” — King Sunny Adé

    Running time: 9m 13s

    Featured artist: Stevie Wonder

    Genre: Juju

    Release year: 1984

    In 1984, King Sunny Adé, already celebrated as the king of juju music, released Aura, an album that boldly pushed Nigerian sounds into global spaces. One of its standout tracks, “Ase,” also the opener, features American legend Stevie Wonder.

    Their partnership wasn’t random; Wonder had long admired African rhythms and Adé was already a Grammy-nominated global ambassador for juju. “Ase” fused Adé’s intricate talking drum patterns, layered guitar riffs and Yoruba-rooted rhythms with Stevie Wonder’s signature harmonica flourishes. The significance of “Ase” lies in its timing. It’s a reminder that the story of Nigerian music’s global reach didn’t start in the 2010s — pioneers like King Sunny Adé were already bridging continents.


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    3. “Essence (Remix)” — Wizkid

    Running time: 4m 23s

    Featured artist: Tems & Justin Bieber

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2021

    When Wizkid released “Essence” featuring Tems in 2020, it quickly became one of the defining tracks off his Grammy-nominated album Made in Lagos. But its reach grew exponentially with the “Essence (Remix)” in 2021, when Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber joined the track. Bieber’s verse slid into the lush soundscape created by Nigerian producers Legendury Beatz and P2J, adding a new texture without compromising the original composition.

    Commercially, the remix is a big deal. It became the first Nigerian song to break into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10, peaking at No. 9. It also went platinum in the U.S. and topped R&B/Hip-Hop airplay charts, making history as one of the most commercially successful Nigerian songs ever. Beyond the numbers, “Essence (Remix)” was hailed as “the song of the summer” in 2021 by major American outlets.

    2. “Calm Down (Remix)” — Rema

    Running time: 4m

    Featured artist: Selena Gomez

    Genre: Afrobeats

    Release year: 2023

    “Calm Down” immediately stood out for its hypnotic blend of Nigerian rhythm and global pop. With its sticky hook and Rema’s smooth yet urgent delivery, the track was already a viral success across Africa and parts of Europe. But the “Calm Down (Remix)” featuring American pop star Selena Gomez, catapulted the record into historic territory.

    The remix became one of the biggest Afrobeats crossovers in history. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Rema the highest-charting Nigerian artist in U.S. history at the time. The track also topped the Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) chart, stayed on the Hot 100 for over a year, and amassed billions of streams across platforms. It was certified multi-platinum in the U.S., U.K., and several European countries, and its music video crossed over 1 billion views on YouTube. This remix cemented Rema’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest international exports and introduced Selena Gomez to Afrobeats’ growing movement

    1. Live! — Fela Kuti & Africa 70

    Running time: 1h

    Featured artist: Ginger Baker

    Genre: Afrobeat

    Release year: 1971

    In 1971, Live! brought together one of the most iconic cross-cultural collaborations in Nigerian music history: Fela Kuti and his band Africa 70 performing alongside Ginger Baker, the legendary British drummer best known for his work with Cream. Ginger Baker, fascinated by African drumming traditions, had travelled extensively across the continent, even setting up a recording studio in Lagos. On Live!, Baker sits in on drums and percussion, blending smoothly with Tony Allen, Fela’s own drumming genius and Afrobeat’s backbone.

    While Live! was initially more celebrated in Europe than Nigeria, it was pivotal in introducing Afrobeat to a broader international audience. For Baker, it was proof that Western rock could learn from African traditions, and for Fela, it was another step in asserting Afrobeat’s global significance.


    ALSO READ: 10 Nigerian Musicians Who Used To Be Famous and What They Do Now


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