Grammys 2026: Nigeria leaves empty-handed as Tyla claims African music crown again

Nigeria failed to secure a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards despite multiple nominations across major categories, as the country’s leading artistes went home without a trophy.

Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid were all nominated at this year’s ceremony but fell short in their respective categories.

The only African win on the night came from South African singer Tyla, who clinched the Best African Music Performance award with her hit song Push 2 Start. She defeated strong Nigerian contenders, including Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat.

Nigeria’s disappointment was further compounded in the Best Global Music Album category, where Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness lost out to Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo by Brazilian music icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia.

Tyla’s victory marks her second win in the African music category since it was introduced in 2024. She first made history with Water, becoming the inaugural recipient of the award. Her back-to-back triumph further cements her rising status as one of Africa’s most influential global music exports.