Tems Leads Nigerian Stars as Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Asake Earn 2026 BET Awards Nominations

Nigerian music stars once again dominated the global spotlight after the official nominations for the 2026 BET Awards were unveiled, with Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Asake securing major nods ahead of the prestigious ceremony scheduled for June 28 in Los Angeles.

Tems emerged as the most nominated Nigerian artist this year, earning three nominations across major categories. The Grammy-winning singer received recognition in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category, while her song “First” earned a nomination for the BET Her Award. She also secured a Viewers’ Choice Award nomination for “Raindance,” her collaboration with British rapper Dave.

Wizkid and Asake were jointly nominated in the Best Group category following the success of their recent collaborations and strong international performances. Their nomination further highlights the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global music scene, as Nigerian artists continue to gain mainstream recognition across international award platforms.

Burna Boy also secured a major nomination in the Best Collaboration category for “WGFT,” his collaboration with American rapper Gunna. The African giant, who has enjoyed massive international success over the years, continues to strengthen his global reputation as one of Afrobeats’ leading exports.

The 2026 BET Awards nominations once again reflect the increasing dominance of African music globally, especially the rise of Afrobeats as one of the world’s most influential music genres. Nigerian artists have consistently maintained a strong presence at the BET Awards over the last decade, with stars such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, Davido, D’banj, Ice Prince, and Ayra Starr all earning recognition on the international stage.

Beyond music, Nigerians and people of Nigerian descent also earned recognition in acting categories. Actress Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo both secured nominations for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a nomination for Best Actor, further showcasing the growing global influence of Nigerian talent across entertainment industries.

Globally, American rapper Cardi B led the 2026 BET Awards nominations with six nods, followed closely by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five nominations each. The awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Druski and is expected to attract some of the biggest names in music, film, sports, and entertainment.

Over the years, the BET Awards have become one of the most important platforms celebrating Black excellence worldwide, and the continued success of Nigerian artists highlights Africa’s growing cultural and musical influence internationally. With Afrobeats now firmly established as a global sound, expectations remain high for another strong outing by Nigerian stars at the 2026 ceremony.