Ayra Starr has emerged as the top Nigerian nominee at the 2026 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, earning two nominations in the Best African Music Act and Best International Act categories.
The full list of nominees was announced on January 15, 2026. The 30th anniversary ceremony will take place on March 26, 2026, at Co-op Live in Manchester, United Kingdom. This marks the first time the awards will be hosted in the city.
In the Best African Music Act category, Ayra Starr faces strong competition from fellow Nigerian stars Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, Rema, and Shallipopi. The category also includes international African nominees Joshua Baraka from Uganda, Moliy from Ghana, and Tyla from South Africa.
Ayra Starr’s second nomination, Best International Act, places her alongside major global artists such as Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, Tyla, Vybz Kartel, and Mariah The Scientist.
These nominations highlight the continued global growth of Afrobeats, with artists from four continents represented across 20 categories. Ayra Starr previously made history at the 2025 MOBO Awards by becoming the first African woman, and the first woman in 16 years, to win both categories in the same year.
The 2026 MOBO Awards are expected to celebrate Black music excellence while showcasing the expanding influence of African artists on the global stage.
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