The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
Ceremonies 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2008 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2010 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Categories The following are the current categories as of 2016.
Musical categories Best Album of the Year Hottest Single of the Year Best Music Promoter Best New act of the Year Gospel Artist of the year Indigenous Artist of the Year Best Pop/R&B artist of the Year Female Artist of the Year Male Artist of the Year Best Rap Act of the Year Music Producer of the Year Best Music Video of the Year (Artist & Director) Best Collaboration Most Promising Act to Watch Diaspora Artist of the Year African Male Artist of the Year (Non-Nigerian) African Female Artist of the Year (Non-Nigerian)
Film categories Best Supporting Actor Best Actress in a Lead Role Best Supporting Actress Best Director of the Year Best Picture of the Year Best Short Film of the Year Best Actor of the Year (TV) Best Actress of the Year(TV) TV Show of the Year Actor of the Year (Non-Nigerian) Actress of the Year (Non-Nigerian) Best Picture (Non-Nigerian)
Other categories Entertainment Personality of the Year Entertainment Executive of the Year Best OAP Funniest Comedian of Year Disk Jockey of the Year (Male) Disk Jockey of the Year (Female) Disk Jockey Collaboration of the Year Disk Jockey of the Year (Non-Nigerian) TV Presenter of the Year (Lifestyle) Fashion Model of the Year
2006-2008 NEA Awards 2006 NEA Awards The first edition was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park on July 28, 2006, and was hosted by comedian Michael Blackson. The event featured performances by Sauce Kid, Sammy Okposo, and Mike Okri. Tuface Idibia and Banky W were amongst the winners of the first edition.
2007 NEA Awards The second edition was held at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City in June 2007 and was hosted by comedian Julius Agwu. The 2007 edition featured performances by Banky W, Iceberg Slim, Blak Jesus, and Mike Aremu.
Winners Best album of the year – Grass 2 Grace (Tuface Idibia) Hottest single of the year – "Why Me" (Dbanj) Best new act of the year – Tosin Martin Indigenous musician of the year – Lagbaja Best collabo of the year – P Square & Weird Mc (Bizzy Body Remix) Best afro pop act of the year – Dbanj Gospel artist of the year – Sammy Okposo Neo afrobeat artist of the year – Femi Kuti Best international album of the year – Return Of The King by eLDee Best international single of the year – "Capable" (Banky) Best international producer of the year – Mic Tunes Best international gospel choir rccg – Jesus House, DC Music producer of the year – Don Jazzy Battle of U.S. Based DJS – DJ Zimo U.S. Based entertainment promoter of the year – Big Moose Entertainment Athlete of the year – Obafemi Martins Fashion designer of the year Nigerian – Fabrics & Fashion Funniest comedian of the year – Julius Agwu Best international actor – Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Best international actress – Adetoro Makinde Nollywood best actor – Ramsey Nouah (Dangerous Twins) Nollywood best actress – Stella Damasus Aboderin (Dangerous Twins) Nollywood best director – Tade Ogidan (Dangerous Twins)
2008 NEA Awards The third edition was held at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City in June 2008 and was hosted by actor Raz Adoti (Amistad) and Tatiana from the 2007 season of Big Brother Africa. The 2007 edition featured performances by Dekunle Fuji and Tosin Martin. The event also featured Ramsey Nouah and supermodel Oluchi's presentation of the Best Actor Award to actor Olu Jacobs.
Winners Best Album of the Year: ASA by Asa Hottest Single of the Year: "Yahooze" by Olu Maintain Best New Act of the Year: TY Bello Best Afro Pop Act of the Year: 9ice Best Gospel Act of the Year: Dekunle Fuji Music Producer of the Year: Dr Frabs Best Music Video of the Year: "Do Me" by P Square Best International Single of the Year: "Spray Me Money" Remix by Oladele ft. Eldee Best International Album of the Year: Chapter XIII by Keno Best International Producer of the Year: T Money Best International Music Video of the Year: "Wetin Man Go Do" by Amplifyd Crew International Event of the Year (presented to a promoter): NRC Reunion Best World DJ: DJ Humility Best Comedian: Basorge Best Film: Blessed Among Women Best Actor: Olu Jacobs Best Actress: Kate Henshaw U.S. Based Promoter of the Year: Tribe X Entertainment
2009-present NEA Awards 2009 NEA Awards
In 2009, the fourth edition of the NEA Awards was held at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium in DC. The event was hosted by comedian Basorge and co-hosted by actresses Omoni Oboli and Ebbe Bassey. The event also featured performances by YQ, Midnight Crew, Toba Gold, Bigiano and J Martins.
Winners Best album of the year – Entertainer (D’Banj) Hottest single of the year – "Good Or Bad" (J Martins) Best new act of the year – M.I. Gospel artist of the year – Midnight Crew Music producer of the year – ID Cabasa Best rapper – M.I. Best music video of year – Not The Girl (Darey) Best international artist – Iceberg Slim Indigenous artist of the year – 9ICE Best international producer of the year – Dapo Torimiro Event of the year – This day/Arise NY fashion week by This day Best world DJ – DJ Neptune Best comedian – I Go Die Best actor – Jim Ikye Best actress – Funke Akindele
2010 NEA Awards
The 2010 edition was held at the third edition was also held on September 18, 2011, at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York and was hosted by Singer Omawumi. The event featured performances by Lara George, Jesse Jagz, Omawumi, MI and Tuface Idibia. Lara George, Jesse Jagz, Omawumi, MI and Tuface Idibia also all received awards at this ceremony.
Winners Best album of the year – CEO (DaGrin) Hottest single of the year – "Free Madness" (Terry G) Best new act of the year – Jesse Jagz Gospel artist of the year – Lara George Most promising act to watch – Mocheddah Indigenous artist of the year – Nneka Best pop/R&B artist of the year – Omawumi Best rap act of the year – M.I. Best soul/neo soul act of the year – Tuface Music producer of the year – J. Sleek Best male music video of the year (artist & director) – "Implication" (Tuface) Godfather Best female music video of the year (artist & director) – "Today Na Today" (Omawumi) Kemi Adetiba Best actor in a film/short story – Jim Iyke (The Shepherd / Dream Maker) Best actress in a film/short story – Nse Ikpe-Etim (Reloaded) Best director – Kunle Afolayan (The Figurine) International event of the year (to a promoter) – Arise Fashion Week New York Entertainment personality of the year – Keke and D1 Best actress in a TV series/reality/game show – Genevieve Nnaji (Guinness Ultimate Survivor Celebrity Edition) Best collaboration with vocals – "Kefee" ft. Time Best international artist – Wale Best international producer of the year – Kid Konnect Best actor in TV series/reality/game show – Gideon Okeke Best on screen personality (people's choice award) – Denrele Best TV series/reality show/game show – Tinsel Best radio personality – Olisa Adibua Best comedian – A.Y Best world DJ – DJ Xclusive
2011 NEA Awards
The seventh edition was held on September 2, 2011, at the Symphony Space Sharp Theater in New York and was hosted by comedian Julius Agwu and actress Funke Akindele (aka "Jenifa"). The event featured performances by Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Waje, Sound Sultan, Sam Klef and MI. Lara George, Ice Prince, Waje, Sam Klef and MI all took home awards at this ceremony.
Winners Album of the year – MI2 (MI) Hottest Single of the Year – "Oleku" (Ice Prince) Best New Act of the Year – Wizkid Gospel Artist of the Year – Lara George Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year – Waje Best Rap Act of The Year – M.I Music Producer of The Year – Samklef Best International Artist – Nneka Best Music Video of the Year – "Eni Duro" (Olamide) – DJ Tee Most Promising Act to Watch – Jhybo Entertainment Executive of the Year – Audu Maikori (Chocolate City) Indigenous Artist of the Year – Duncan Mighty Pan African Artist or Group of the Year – Fally Ipupa Best US-based Male Artist of the Year – Rotimi Best US-based Female Artist of the Year – Naira Best Actor in a Film/Short Story – Ramsey Nouah (A Private Storm) Best Actress in a Film/Short Story – Omoni Oboli (Anchor Baby) Best Picture (Producer) – Inale (Jeta Amata) Best Directing in a Film/Short Story – Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen/Ikechukwu Onyeka (A Private Storm) Best Actor in TV Series/Reality/Game Show – Frank Edoho (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire) Best Actress in TV Series/Reality/Game Show – Damilola Adegbite (Tinsel) Pan African Actress of the Year (Film/Short Story) – Jackie Appiah Pan African Actor of the Year (Film/Short Story) – Chris Attoh Comedian of the Year – Gordon Best World DJ – DJ Obi (Boston) Entertainment Promoter of the Year – Tiwaworks (Atlanta, US)
2012 NEA Awards
The seventh edition was held on September 2, 2012, at the New York University Skirball Performing Arts Center in New York and was hosted by AY the comedian and actress Funke Akindele (aka "Jenifa"). The event featured performances by Brymo, Seyi Shay, Ice Prince, Vector, Waje, Banky W., Skales, WizKid. Appearances were made by Don Jazzy, Davido, Vivian Ndour, D'Prince, Sarkodie, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Uche Jumbo, Susan Peters, and Juliet Ibrahim.
Winners Best Album of the Year Superstar – Wizkid Hottest single of the year – "Dami Duro", Davido Best New Act of the year - Davido Gospel artist/group of the year - Tim Godfrey Best pop/r&b artist of the year - Wizkid Best rap act of the year - Vector Music producer of the year - Don Jazzy Best international artist - Tinie Tempah Best music video of the year – "Nawti" (Olu Maintain) Most promising act to watch – Eva Pan African artist or group of the year – Vivian Ndour Best US based artist of the year – Awon Boyz Best indigenous artist/group -Flavour Best collabo of the year - "Sauce Kid" ft. Davido (Carolina) Best actor (film) – Wale Ojo (Phone Swap) Best actress (film) – Funke Akindele (Troj) Best picture – Phone Swap Best TV Show – Big Brother Africa Best film director – Kunle Afolayan (Phone Swap) Pan African actor – Majid Michel (Somewhere in Africa) Pan African actress - Yvonne Okoro (Single Six) World DJ – Jimmy Jatt (Nigeria) Entertainment Executive of the year – Eldee
2013 NEA winners
Winners Best Album of the Year: YBNL – Olamide Hottest Single of the Year: "Kukere" – Iyanya Best New Act of the Year: Burna Boy Gospel Artist/Group of the Year: Sammy Okposo Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year: Davido Best Rap Act of the Year: Ice Prince Music Producer of the Year: Spellz Music Video of the Year: Ghetto – "Shank" (Patrick Ellis) Most Promising Male Act to Watch: Endia Most Promising Female Act to Watch: Emma Nyra Eastern African Artiste or Group of the Year: Navio Western African Artiste or Group of the Year: Sarkodie Southern African Artist or Group of the Year: Zahara Best International Artiste: JJC Skillz Best Indigenous Artiste/Group: Olamide Best Collaboration: Ghost Mode – Phyno ft. Olamide Best Lead Actor in Film: OC Ukeje (Alan Poza) Best Lead Actress in a Film: Rita Dominic (The Meeting) Best Supporting Actor in a Film: Ali Nuhu (Blood and Henna) Best Supporting Actress in a Film: Tunde Aladese (Confusion Na Wa) Best Film Director: Tunde Kelani (Maami)