From groundbreaking anthems to world tours, Nigerian musicians haven’t just shown up at the BET Awards, they’re taking over.

Here’s a full look at every Nigerian artist who’s won, when, how, and why it mattered.

D’banj & 2Baba — 2011

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act (Africa)

The revolution began here. D’banj, with his swagger and signature harmonica, and 2Baba (then 2Face), the soulful voice behind African Queen, jointly snagged Nigeria’s first BET win.

It was more than a trophy, it was the beginning of global eyes turning to the sounds coming from Lagos and beyond.

These two legends paved the runway for what would become the Afrobeat takeover.

Wizkid — 2012 (shared), 2017 (solo)

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act (Africa)

Wizkid’s first win was shared with Ghanaian artist Sarkodie, but by 2017, he had the global spotlight all to himself.

His solo BET win came after collaborating with Drake on One Dance, proving that a boy from Surulere could top the Billboard charts and headline international arenas.

Wizkid’s sound is subtle, smooth, and genre-bending and he’s helped redefine what African pop means globally.

Ice Prince — 2013

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act (Africa)

Ice Prince emerged from the hip-hop scene with Oleku, a smash that became one of the most remixed songs in African music history.

His BET win was a cultural moment for Nigerian rap, proof that lyricism and rhythm from the streets of Jos could command global respect.

He brought an edge to the Afrobeats-dominated narrative and showed there was room for bars on the big stage.

Davido — 2014 & 2018

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act (Africa)

Davido’s journey has always been loud, lavish, and full of heat. His first BET win in 2014 was validation of his dominance in African pop.

But it was his 2018 win that really shifted the narrative as he used his speech to call on BET to stop separating African acts from the main category, urging for better representation.

The moment was bold, historic, and pure Davido: unfiltered and unforgettable.

Burna Boy — 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act

Four-time winner. Afro-fusion pioneer. Grammy king.

Burna Boy didn’t just enter the BET stage, he made it his second home. Each win aligned with a new chapter in his evolving artistry, from the political fire of African Giant to the Grammy-winning Twice As Tall.

Burna doesn’t play for applause; he performs with purpose. His BET dominance reflects a global hunger for African storytelling with soul, scale, and substance.

Tems — 2022

Category: Best International Act

Soft yet stormy. Tems came in like a whisper and stayed like a wave. With Essence, Wait for U, and her distinct honey-soul voice, she redefined how we perceive female power in music; less about noise, more about nuance.

Her BET win was historic: the first African woman to win Best International Act.

Tems doesn’t just represent women in music, she represents a new, unshakable energy in African creativity.

Ayra Starr — 2025

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards

Category: Best International Act

And now, the youngest winner yet. At just 22, Ayra Starr stepped onto the BET stage this year and reminded the world that Gen Z isn’t waiting in the wings, they’re already headlining.

Her sound is bold, dreamy, and experimental; Afropop soaked in feminism and fearless flair.

This win wasn’t just personal; it was generational. Ayra Starr is proof that Nigeria’s cultural pipeline isn’t slowing down, it’s speeding up.

Total BET Award Wins by Nigerians:

13 Wins
8 Nigerian Artists
Burna Boy leads with 4 wins

These wins reflect how Nigerian music has shaped global pop culture.

BET Awards are no longer just international recognition, they’re proof that the world is listening, learning, and vibing to Nigeria’s rhythm.

8 Nigerian Artists Who’ve Won BET Awards