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Nigerian Idol

FieldValue
imageNigerian-Idol.jpg
languageEnglish
runtime60-120 min.
num_seasons10
creatorSimon Fuller
presenterTiwa Savage & IllRymz (Season 2)
Anis Holloway and Misi Holloway (Season 3 - Season 4)
IK Osakioduwa (Season 5 - Season 10)
judgesJeffrey Daniel (Season 1)
Yinka Davies (Season 1 - Season 5)
Audu Maikori (Season 1)
Charly Boy (Season 2)
Femi Kuti (Season 3)
Naeto C (Season 3)
Darey (Season 4 - Season 5)
Nneka (Season 4)
Dede Mabiaku (Season 4 - Season 5)
Obi Asika (Season 6 - Season 8)
Seyi Shay (Season 6)
DJ Sose (Season 6)
Dbanj (Season 7 - Season 8)
Simi (Season 7 - Season 8)
Toolz (Season 7)
Omawumi (Season 7, Season 9 - Season 10)
Ric Hassani (Season 9 - Season 10)
9ice (Season 9)
Iyanya (Season 10)
countryNigeria
networkAfrica Magic Showcase
Africa Magic Family
first_aired
last_airedpresent

Anis Holloway and Misi Holloway (Season 3 - Season 4) IK Osakioduwa (Season 5 - Season 10) Yinka Davies (Season 1 - Season 5) Audu Maikori (Season 1) Charly Boy (Season 2) Femi Kuti (Season 3) Naeto C (Season 3) Darey (Season 4 - Season 5) Nneka (Season 4) Dede Mabiaku (Season 4 - Season 5) Obi Asika (Season 6 - Season 8) Seyi Shay (Season 6) DJ Sose (Season 6) Dbanj (Season 7 - Season 8) Simi (Season 7 - Season 8) Toolz (Season 7) Omawumi (Season 7, Season 9 - Season 10) Ric Hassani (Season 9 - Season 10) 9ice (Season 9) Iyanya (Season 10) Africa Magic Family

Nigerian Idol is the Nigerian version of the Idol series franchise. It is the second Idol franchise for the country as it was already part of Idols West Africa which was also shot and produced in Stockholm, Sweden.

The show started with its first season in 2010, the 50th anniversary of the country with the tagline Live Your Dream. Accept No Limitation.

Auditions were open for every Nigerian between 18 and 28. The first season went on air in October 2010 and is shown on 15 different channels all across Africa.

On March 27, 2011, 26-year-old Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert Onwuka aka "yeka onka" from Ohafia was announced the first Nigerian Idol ever over fellow competitor Naomi Ebiama. Onyekachi was awarded the sum of 7.5 Million Naira, a recording contract with Sony, a car and an all-expense-paid trip to South Africa. Prior of receiving a Golden Ticket in Lagos Yeka unsuccessfully auditioned on two other occasions for the show. For the creation of the winning song the two finalists collaborated with award-winning producer Jesse Jagz. Yeka has since performed in different world know stages and started the first female band known as the "Gfactor band" in Nigeria.

In Season 4, Evelyn Ibhade Zibili, professionally known as "Evelle," was announced the winner of Nigerian Idol in 2014. After winning Nigerian Idol in 2014, Evelle released 'Waiting,' featuring DJ Xclusive and Masterkraft, marking her official entry into Nigeria's music industry.

There have been nine following Nigerian Idol winners to date: Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Obi Adigwe, Evelle, K-Peace, Kingdom Kroseide, Progress, Victory Gbakara and Chima Udoye.

Judges and hosts

Judges

For season one, Yinka Davies, Audu Maikori and Jeffrey Daniel were selected to be the judges. In season two, Maikori was replaced with Charly Boy as a judge. In season three, Femi Kuti replaced Charly. In season four, Darey, Nneka, and Dede Mabiaku were selected as judges. In season five, Yinka Davies replaced Nneka. In season six, Obi Asika, Seyi Shay and DJ Sose were selected to be the judges with IK Osakioduwa serving as host. In season 7, Simi, D’banj, Yinka Davies and Obi Asoka were stipulated to be judges. In Season 9 Omawumi, Ric Hassani and 9ice were chosen to be the judges.

Season 1

The show was hosted by Misi and Anis Holloway and the panel of judges consists of producer and record label owner Audu Maikori, former Shalamar singer/dancer Jeffrey Daniel, and singer Yinka Davies.

Elimination chart

Did Not PerformFemaleMaleTop 50Wild CardTop 10Winner
SafeSafe FirstSafe LastEliminated
PlaceContestantResult
1Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert
2Naomi Ebiama1st
3Emmanuel Patrick
4Bello Lydia Biodum
5Glory Orishki
6-7Alex Olori
Zoe Chinaka
8-9Oluwatoni Afolayan
George Ukeme
10-11Ajumoke Nwaeze
Chito Ann AkwuehElim
12-13Kalu-Ude Nnenna
Olamide Etti2nd
14Ken Nwaoji
**Wild
Card**Rachel Tamunokuro Ogonodi
Amadi LawrenceElim
Immaculate EdacheElim
Irene OjarighoElim
**Semi-
Final 5**Amy
Bibi
Funmi
Kemi
Thoinette
**Semi-
Final 4**Adetoun Adekoya Grace
Anthony Nsikak Akpan
Chioma Success Ezeh
Ewoma Egedi
Ndidiamaka Percious Okonkwo
Obiala Leonard Chinyere
**Semi-
Final 3**Chukwudi Victor Okwege
Faith Dode
Godson Chimew Godson
Grace Udoh
Jessica Sunny
Olajumoke Rachael Oyebodejo
Toyosi Alasi
**Semi-
Final 2**Domita Ojeme Abodo
Felicia Ugoaro
Lawrence Paul
Lynn Eke
Onyekachukwu Nwaligbe
Safiya Ramat Idachaba
Sunday Onyeka Otabo
**Semi-
Final 1**Abraham EmurewaElim
Joe Ekpo
Ogunbodede "Bukky" Oluwabukola
Ruth Nwachukwu
Sadia Ibrahim

Season 2

In 2012, singer Charly Boy replaced Audu Maikori who left the show to concentrate on other projects. The hosts were Tiwa Savage and IllRymz. The contestants were Chinedu, Najita, Nikki, Lynda, Ibinabo, Honey, Diwari, A.Y.O, Mercy, Steven Onochie, Anthony Ekpo and Sly 1 (Sylvester Kingston). Mercy Chinwo was the eventual winner.

Season 6

Seyi Shay DJ Sose

After a five-year hiatus, Nigerian Idol was picked up by Multichoice and sponsored by Tecno Mobile and Bigi Drinks and began airing in 2021. Obi Asika, Seyi Shay and DJ Sose were selected as judges for the season. The show was hosted by veteran host IK Osakioduwa.

Through a series of auditions, a controversial top 11 was picked by the judges. This deviated from the usual top 10 format that was meant to be used in the selection. This act stirred up a lot of conversation on Nigerian social media space.

The Top 11 included Kingdom Kroseide, Clinton, Atela Francis, Akunna, Comfort Alalade, Beyoncé Ajomiwe, Daniel Ikechi, Faith Mac, Faith Jason, Dotun Deloye and Eljay. The contestants finished in the following positions. 1st.Kingdom, 2nd.Francis, 3rd.Akunna, 4th.Comfort, 5th.Faith Jason, 6th.Emmanuel, 7th.Beyonce, 8th.Daniel, 9th.Clinton, 1O&11.Faith Mac & Dotun. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the live shows didn't have human audiences and used applause tracks instead.

For the top 5, top 4 and top 3 live shows, guest judges were brought in to evaluate the contestants. The guest judges included Mr P, Praiz and Cobhams Asuquo respectively.

In July 2021, Kingdom Kroseide emerged winner in what is said to be the most emotional Nigerian Idol finale ever. Kroseide was declared winner over his fellow Top 2 contestant, Atela Francis.

Kroseide was given a prize money of 30 million Naira, A brand new SUV, All expense paid trips to Dubai and Seychelles, a recording contract, a one-year supply of Bigi Drinks and much more.

Season 10

Nigerian idol season 10 kickstarted on April 20, 2025. With the theme, “Your Voice, Your Victory,”singer Iyanya was introduced as a new judge.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2021Net HonoursMost Popular Event

References

References

  1. BellaNaija.com. (2007-02-20). "IDOLS WEST AFRICA".
  2. "Nigerian Idol - About the Show".
  3. "Third Time Lucky Yeka Onka Wins Nigerian Idol, Articles | Thisday Live".
  4. "Mar2811 Entertainment News".
  5. (28 March 2011). "Yeka Onka Wins First Nigerian Idol - Information Nigeria".
  6. "Archived copy".
  7. BellaNaija.com. (2014-06-26). "Nigerian Idol 2014 Winner Evelle Beams on the cover of The Red Sheet's New Issue".
  8. BellaNaija.com. (2014-06-12). "Evelle Wins Nigerian Idol Season 4! Performances from TuFace, Bovi, Darey Art-Alade & More".
  9. LHX, TRANSSION. "Buzz Discoveries: Evelle Won Nigeria Idol And Now She Wants To Win Your Heart With Her Music {{!}} Boombuzz".
  10. eribake, akintayo. (2014-06-13). "Evelle, winner of Nigerian Idol 2014".
  11. (2014-06-14). "Evelle wins Nigerian Idol Season 4 - Daily Trust".
  12. (2014-06-10). "Evelle wins 2014 Nigerian Idol {{!}} EbonyLife TV".
  13. Nation, The. (2015-11-29). "Evelle drops Waiting".
  14. Nation, The. (2015-11-29). "Evelle drops Waiting".
  15. Blog, AllBaze Gospel. (2020-05-08). "Mercy Chinwo Blessed AllBaze.com".
  16. "Yinka Davies biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture".
  17. "Obi Asika Biography, Career, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth".
  18. (28 July 2022). "Who is Seyi Shay? All About Her Net Worth and Family Life".
  19. Golub, Kate. (2018-09-12). "Interesting Story of DJ Sose".
  20. (2022-05-16). "Ik Osakioduwa's Biography, Age, Net Worth, Wife, And Education". Koko Tv Nigeria | Nigeria News & Breaking Naija News.
  21. Isaac, Oludare. (2021-04-16). "Full Biography Of Simi & Net Worth: Age, Songs, Awards And Facts".
  22. "Obi Asika Biography, Career, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth".
  23. (6 April 2024). "Omawumi, Ric Hassani, 9ice replace Simi, DBanj, Asika as Nigerian Idol judges".
  24. (5 April 2024). "9ice, Omawumi, Ric Hassani announced as Nigerian Idol's new judges".
  25. (11 August 2019). "Biography of Tiwa Savage: Age, Profile, Songs, Wedding and More".
  26. Augoye, Jayne. (2021-07-11). "Kingdom wins Nigerian Idol Season 6".
  27. "The MultiChoice Group".
  28. "Home".
  29. "Bigi Soft Drinks".
  30. "Mr. P".
  31. "Praiz biography".
  32. "Cobhams Asuquo story - Youngstars Foundation".
  33. Emelike, Obinna. (2025-03-21). "Nigerian Idol returns for Season 10, amid new judges, fierce competition".
  34. (9 June 2021). "Net Honours - The Class of 2021".
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