Nigerian music and Hollywood talent have achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 BET Awards, securing nine nominations across major mainstream categories – a powerful testament to the global rise of Afrobeats and Nigerian excellence.
The nominations, announced on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, see African artists breaking out of the traditional “Best International Act” bracket to compete in core categories alongside the world’s biggest stars.
Tems leads the continent with three nods: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, BET Her for “First,” and Viewers’ Choice for “Raindance” with Dave. Wizkid and Asake earned a joint nomination for Best Group following their collaborative EP REAL, Vol. 1. Burna Boy is nominated for Best Collaboration for his feature on Gunna’s “wgft.”
On the acting side, Nigerian‑descended stars shine bright: Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo are both nominated for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a nod for Best Actor. Wale completes the list with an Album of the Year nomination for Everything Is a Lot. – a project that proudly honours his Nigerian heritage.
“This is for every African dreaming of global recognition,” said one industry observer.
The 2026 BET Awards will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 28, with comedian Druski hosting.
Nigerian fans will be watching proudly as their stars compete on the world’s biggest stage.
