MTN Nigeria has opened entries for the second season of its music competition, Next Afrobeats Star. The winner will receive a recording deal valued at ₦225 million and a new car.
Prize breakdown
The expanded prize package for season two includes recording contracts for the top five finalists. The first runner-up will secure a deal worth ₦150 million, while the second, third and fourth runners-up will receive contracts valued at ₦100 million, ₦75 million and ₦50 million, respectively.
Judges and competition format
The panel of judges comprises producers and songwriters Puffy Tee, Ragee, Andre Vibez and Masterkraft. Regional auditions will be held in Lagos, Jos, Enugu and Benin, followed by a series of stages: Trials, Versus, Pick Me, Live Shows and the Grand Showdown. The overall winner will be determined by public vote.
Season 1 recap
The inaugural season awarded a ₦150 million recording deal to winner Ayo Benzi. Finalists Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker and Lucky Yay! also secured recording contracts.
Emamoke Ogoro, General Manager of Brands and Communication at MTN Nigeria, said the competition reflects the company’s commitment to creating platforms that turn talent into opportunity.
Season 1 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 Season 2, 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.
Femi Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer of Ultima Studios, which produces the show alongside ONErpm, said the second season will build on the foundation of the first.
When we launched Season 1, we were driven by a simple but powerful belief that Nigeria is overflowing with extraordinary music talent, and that what many young people need is not just applause from friends and family, but a credible platform, structured support, meaningful investment and a genuine opportunity to succeed. The achievements of our contestants since then have validated that belief. Next Afrobeats Star is more than a television programme; it is a real pipeline into the music business. As we launch Season 2, we are raising the bar with bigger opportunities, higher aspirations and even greater rewards for the next generation of Afrobeats stars.
How to enter
Entries opened on July 18, 2026 and will close on August 17, 2026. Interested contestants can register by sending NAS to 13013. A registration fee of ₦600 applies. After texting, participants receive a link to complete their registration, upload their entry and begin the audition process.
MTN Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest communications providers, connecting over 89.5 million people. It is part of the MTN Group, a multinational telecommunications group operating in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
