Top two Nigerian Musical stars, Burna Boy and David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido were conspicuously absent from the AFRIMA Awards ceremony, despite emerging among the night’s most celebrated artistes.
Burna Boy clinched the Album of the Year award but did not attend to receive the honour, while Davido also a major winner and billed as a headliner failed to make an appearance for reasons undisclosed by the organisers.
Their absence was keenly felt by fans and delegates from across the continent who had anticipated seeing the global Afrobeats icons on stage.
Nevertheless, the ceremony delivered a memorable showcase of African music excellence. Nigerian stars Phyno, Shallipopi, and Yemi Alade, alongside Ghana’s Wendy Shay, thrilled the audience with energetic performances.
A standout moment of the night was the reunion performance by Ghana’s Stonebwoy and Nigeria’s Mr P, who performed their 2025 collaboration “ODO”, blending Afrobeats and dancehall in a celebration of cross-cultural unity.
The evening also featured surprise appearances by Seyi Vibez, Fuji maestro Adewale Ayuba, and veteran highlife innovator Bright Chimezie, whose Zigima Sound added a nostalgic flourish.
Despite the absence of two of its biggest stars, the AFRIMA Awards reaffirmed its role as a premier platform for celebrating Africa’s diverse musical talents and fostering continental collaboration.
