Nigeria is a nation positively bursting with young talent. If you’re on the lookout for emerging stars, here are some names to keep an eye on.
Bisola Aiyeola
Described as a ‘triple threat’, former Big Brother star, Bisola Aiyeola can act, sing and entertain with her sharp wit. Before she was crowned runner-up in the reality series, Bisola starred in a host of programs, but her stint in the house catapulted her into the limelight. A rising star of Nollywood, Bisola recently received plaudits from critics for her role in Picture Perfect.
Zainab Balogun
Zainab Balogun is a name on many a director’s lips following critically acclaimed performances in The Wedding Party and the Royal Hibiscus Hotel. Although these movies put Balogun’s name up in lights, she didn’t need to play international lottery to earn a place on the red carpet, having starred as an extra in Hollywood smash, The Dark Knight Rises.
Wizkid
Wizkid is enjoying a stratospheric rise to fame after collaborating with huge names in the music industry, including Drake, Trey Songz, Ty Dolla $ign and Major Lazer. After dominating the radio charts with Drake on the impossibly catchy ‘One Dance,’ it didn’t take long for Wizkid’s talents to be recognised. He now boasts Mobo and AFRIMA awards in his collection, and he has performed live at London’s prestigious venue, the Royal Albert Hall.
Davido
2017 was a huge year for singer-songwriter, Davido. His singles ‘If’ and ‘Fall’ took the nation’s radio stations by storm, and he established a cult following, which is bound to set him up for continued success in 2018. Although known primarily for his music, Davido also has an eye for fashion, and he released a capsule collection with up and coming designer, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, in 2017 as part of Selfridge’s Music Matters event.
Moet Abebe
Enigmatic radio and TV presenter, Moet Abebe, made a name for herself after returning to Nigeria from the UK, where she had been studying. A popular radio and TV personality, her talents don’t stop here. She is also a model, and she has experience in working in the catering industry.
Stephanie Coker
Stephanie Coker is one of the hottest properties in Nigeria at the moment. Her portfolio boasts appearances on The Voice, and she established herself as a popular presenter on MTV Base. She also has expertise in radio presenting after working with Cool FM.
Bolanle Ninalowo
One of the brightest stars in Nigeria’s young acting community, Bolanle Ninalowo made his debut back in 2010 before taking a break shortly after. He burst back onto the scene in 2014 and has since starred as the infamous character, Casanova. He also featured in hugely popular movies, Picture Perfect and Tiwa’s Baggage. 2018 is set to be a huge year, with big budget movie releases in the pipeline including Ratnik.
Nigeria is bursting at the seams with talent. If you’re searching for the next stars of radio, music, TV and cinema, hopefully, this guide has provided you with the names you need to look out for in the coming months.
