MTN Nigeria has kicked off entries for the second season of its music reality show, Next Afrobeats Star. The winner will walk away with a recording deal worth N225m and a new car.
The telecom giant said this competition is in partnership with Ultima Studios and ONErpm. It follows the success of the first season, which found and rewarded new Nigerian music talents.
MTN Nigeria’s General Manager for Brands and Communication, Emamoke Ogoro, spoke about the show's return. She said this initiative shows the company’s dedication to helping young Nigerians by giving them chances to turn their talent into real opportunities.
Ogoro mentioned that the first season proved the competition is more than just a way to gain exposure. Contestants left with original songs on global streaming platforms, ownership of their work, recognition in the industry, and valuable connections.
She said, “Season one was our proof. Our contestants did not simply gain exposure; they released original music now available on major global streaming platforms. They left the competition owning their intellectual property, with industry credentials and meaningful relationships in a music industry that now knows their names.
“As we return for the second season, the most significant change is not the size of the prize; it is the size of the door it opens. We are opening that door even wider by connecting grassroots talent to a national stage,” she added.
Ogoro also noted that this initiative fits into MTN’s larger goal of supporting Nigeria’s creative economy through innovation and partnerships.
The company has also announced a bigger prize for this season. The overall winner will get a N225m recording deal that covers music production, marketing, distribution, accommodation, and a new car. The first runner-up will receive a N150m recording deal.
The second, third, and fourth runners-up will get recording deals worth N100m, N75m, and N50m respectively.
Contestants will face a panel of judges that includes famous producers and songwriters: Puffy Tee, Ragee, Andre Vibez, and Masterkraft.
Femi Ayeni, the CEO of Ultima Studios, said the second edition will strengthen the competition’s role in finding and nurturing new music talents.
The organizers revealed that entries opened on July 18 and will close on August 17, 2026.
Auditions will take place in Lagos, Jos, Enugu, and Benin before the shortlisted contestants move on to the next stages. There, they will get mentorship from top music producers and industry experts.
Contestants will compete in stages like Trials, Versus, Pick Me, Live Shows, and the Grand Showdown, with the final winner decided by public voting.
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