Nigeria Entertainment Awards
The Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA Awards) were established in New York City in January 2006 to serve the growing African population in North America. It is an annual event focused on recognizing the contributions of African Entertainers to the entertainment industry. The event aims to promoting the image and culture of Nigeria. This has increased the awareness of a new edgy style of African entertainment that has helped promote Nigerian acts to the world.
First Edition: 2006
The first edition was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland at 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.
Second Edition: 2007
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.
Third Edition: 2008
The third edition was also 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 edition of Big Brother Africa. The 2007 edition featured performances by Dekunle Fuji and Tosin Martin. The event also featured Ramsey Noah and Supermodel Oluchi’s presentation of the Best Actor Award to Actor, Olu Jacobs.
Fourth Edition: 2009
In 2009, the fourth edition of the NEA Awards, was held at the Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in DC. The event was hosted by comedian Basorge and cohosted by actresses Omoni Oboli and Ebbe Bassey. The event also featured performances by YQ, Midnight Crew, Toba Gold, Bigiano and J Martins.
Fifth Edition: 2010
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.
Sixth Edition: 2011
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.
Seventh Edition: 2012
The most recent 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, Wiz Kid. And appearances by Don Jazzy, Davido, Vivian Ndour, DPrince, Sakordie, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Uche Jumbo, Susan Peters, Juliet Ibrahim amongst others.
Eighth Edition: 2013 (Upcoming)
The next edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards will be held in the Summer of 2013 in Lagos, London and New York.
NEA Awards Winners
2006 NEA Awards Winners
2007 NEA Awards 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 - Eldee (Return Of The King)
- 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 DJ'S - DJ Zimo
- U.S. Based entertain. 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 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 NEA Awards 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 Thisday
- Best world DJ - DJ Neptune
- Best comedian - I Go Die
- Best actor - Jim Ikye
- Best actress - Funke Akindele
2010 NEA Awards 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 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 Winners
- Album of the year - MI2 (MI)
- Hotest 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, USA)
2012 NEA Awards 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
Executive Team
- Tope Esan - Executive Producer & President
- Cosmas Collins - Executive Producer / Marketing & Promotions
- Martin Fayomi - Executive Producer / Business Development
- Azeem Jolasun - Executive Producer / Production Engineer