Nigeria’s much-anticipated Grammy moment ended in disappointment as the country’s leading stars left the 2026 ceremony without a single win, despite multiple high-profile nominations.

Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid all entered the night as strong contenders, reflecting Nigeria’s dominance across Afrobeats and global pop. Yet as the final envelopes were opened, none of their names were called, turning what had been billed as a breakthrough year into a sobering reminder of how competitive the global field has become.

The night instead belonged to South Africa’s Tyla, who cemented her status as a new powerhouse of African music. She won Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, edging out Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, and Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat in one of the most closely watched categories of the night.

Tyla’s victory was more than a single win. It marked her second triumph in the category since its creation, following her historic inaugural win with Water. In just a few years, she has gone from viral sensation to the defining face of the Grammys’ African-focused category, shaping how global audiences encounter contemporary African pop.

Nigeria’s hopes were also dashed in the Best Global Music Album race. Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness, widely praised for its fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and highlife, lost out to Brazilian icons Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia, who won for Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo. Their victory highlighted the breadth of the global category, where veteran artistry and live performance craft prevailed over Nigeria’s cutting-edge studio sound.

For Nigerian music, the shutout will sting. The country remains a dominant cultural exporter, its rhythms and stars shaping playlists, festivals, and collaborations worldwide. Yet the Grammys outcome underscores that visibility does not always translate into trophies, and that African representation at the awards is increasingly diverse, with South Africa, Nigeria, and other countries vying for the same spotlight.

As the dust settles, Tyla’s back-to-back wins signal a shifting balance of power within African pop on the world stage, while Nigeria’s heavyweights return home with a clear message: global acclaim is secure, but Grammy validation will have to wait another year.