Entertainment
7 Most Followed Nigerian Celebrities On Instagram
By AFFA ACHO, Abuja
For most celebrities,the social media platform Instagram,is one of the most important platforms through which they communicate with their fans around the world.With Instagram,celebrities are able to share some of their private and special moments to their followers,and the popularity of a celebrity is usually reflected on the number of followers they have on social media.LEADERSHIP Weekend looks at the 7 most followed Nigerian celebrities on Instagram.
1. Davido (23.1 million followers):
David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido is the most followed Nigerian celebrity on Instagram with over 20 followers.Checks on Davido’s Instagram account last Wednesday, revealed that the famous singer deleted majority of the posts and his profile picture on his Instagram page.
The only posts remaining on the singer’s Instagram account with 26.4 million followers are that of his late son, Ifeanyi; pictures from his performance at the Qatar World Cup, and the post of him and his lover, Chioma Rowland, getting ready for the World Cup performance in December 2022.
Davido had earlier hinted that he would return to social media in March 2023.
The DMW boss was last seen in public during his performance at the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The award-winning singer had remained in solitude on social media after the death of his three-year-old son in October 2022.
He, however, shared pictures of himself, Chioma, and members of his crew ahead of his performance at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup on December 18, 2022, on his social media accounts.
Davido later performed at the World Cup final singing the official soundtrack for the tournament.
The Afrobeats singer performed alongside Trinidad Cardona and Aisha.
The song for the 2022 World Cup is titled Hayya Hayya (Better Together).
2. Yemi Alade (16.2 million followers):
Her Instagram account is primarily comprised of dancing videos and photos of herself. Her page has very little information about her personal life.Yemi Alade, signed to Effyzzie Music Group, and had a hit with her single “Johnny” in 2014.Since then Yemi has gained prominence in the music industry and considered one of the biggest artists in Africa.
3. Funke Akindele (14.9million followers):
Funke Akindele came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002.[citation needed] Funke Akindele played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.The actress who was picked as the Deputy governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the 2023 governorship elections in Lagos state has a following of 14.9 million on Instagram.
4. Tiwa Savage (14.5 million followers):
Tiwa Savage began her music career doing backup vocals for artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. After participating in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, Savage signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.Inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, Savage moved back to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012. She made an appearance on the label’s 2012 compilation album Solar Plexus.Her popularity has enabled her garner a massive following on Instagram.
5. WizKid (14 million followers):
Grammy award winning Nigerian superstar Wizkid,began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five (5), a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He later rose to the limelight after releasing “Holla at Your Boy”, the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull”.Though Wizkid likes to keep a low profile,he still commands a massive following on Instagram.
6. Burna Boy (13.5 million Instagram followers):
Grammy award winning Nigerian super star Burna Boy, rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally.His 2020 studio album, Twice as Tall, won Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.He usually posts pictures and videos of his sold out shows in different arenas around the world.Burna Boy is the 6th most followed Nigerian celebrity on Instagram with 13.5 million followers.
7. Don Jazzy (13 million Instagram followers)
Don Jazzy, aka Michael Collins Ajereh, is Mavin Records’ CEO and founder. He and Dbanj were also co-owners of the now-defunct record label Mo’ Hits Records.
Don Jazzy is well-known for his social media activity and engagement. He spends his free time on Instagram when he’s not working. His Instagram page features both personal skits and advertisements for many other skit makers and artists. He has 13 million followers on Instagram at the moment.
Award-winning singer Tems has won the Best Recording of the Year award at the 17th Headies awards for her captivating single “Burning”.
The song, featured on her 18-track album “Born in the Wild”, showcases her exceptional artistry and musical prowess.
Tems was up against stiff competition, beating out fellow nominees Seyi Vibez, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr ft Giveon, Sarz, and Lojay.
The award, one of the most prestigious in Nigerian music, was announced and received by Tems’ mother.
Since its inception in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, The Headies has grown into the most respected music award platform in Nigeria, celebrating the country’s biggest talents year after year.
Award-winning Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido won the Best Digital Artiste of the Year at the 17th annual Headies Awards.
A well-deserved crown, considering his outstanding influence across streaming platforms and online spaces.
Davido’s collaborative track, “Ogechi Remix” with Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel, also received multiple nominations.
The Headies, which celebrates excellence in the Nigerian music industry, held its 17th edition on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
The event gathered some of the industry’s biggest stars in a night of high-profile performances and recognitions.
Other major winners included Zerry DL, Tems, Funke Akindele, and Rema.
Full list of winners:
Rookie of the Year
Zerry DL — Winner
Taves
Kaestyle
Llona
Soundtrack of the Year
“Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack” – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — Winner
“Eledumare” – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
“Lose to Gain” – Kaline (Breathe of Life)
“Kill Boro” – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
“Orisa” – Beriola (Orisa)
“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
Best Recording of the Year
“Burning” – Tems — Winner
“Different Patterns” – Seyi Vibez
“Higher” – Burna Boy
“Last Heartbreak Song” – Ayra Starr and Giveon
“Billions” – Sarz and Lojay
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
“Billions” – Lojay — Winner
“Moving” – Omah Lay
“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean
“For You” – Johnny Drille
“Ke Na Ke So” – Timi Dakolo
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
“I’m Done” – Liya — Winner
“Last Song Heartbreak” – Ayra Starr
“Level” – Niniola
“Stranger” – Simi
“Tomorrow” – Yemi Alade
Special Recognition Award Recipients
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Songwriter of the Year
“Vision” – Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma (Qing Madi) — Winner
“Stranger” – Simisola Kosoko (Simi)
“Can’t Breathe” – Michael Ajuma Attah (Llona)
“Family Meeting” – Emoseh Khamofu (Bloody Civilian)
“Stages of Life” – Fuayefika Maxwell (Wizard Chan)
Humanitarian Award Recipients
Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy)
Producer of the Year
“OZEBA” – London — Winner
“Happiness” – Sarz
“Basquiat” – Magicsticks
“HEHEHE” – Rema, Producer X, Cubeatz, Deatz and Klimperboy
“Different Patterns” – Dibs
Afrobeats Album of the Year
HEIS – Rema — Winner
Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn
Music Video of the Year
“EGWU” – Director Pink — Winner
“Charm” – Rema, Perliks and Folarin Oludare
“Metaverse” – Jyde Ajala
“Like Ice Spice” – Perliks and Emeka Shine Shine
“Ojapiano” – Mattmax
“Showa” – TG Omori
“Na Money” – Dammy Twitch
Afrobeats Single of the Year
“Big Baller” – Flavour — Winner
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel
“Egwu” – Chike (feat. Mohbad)
“Remember” – Asake
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
Headies’ Viewers’ Choice
“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad — Winner
“Big Baller” – Flavour
“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn (feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
“Ogechi Remix” – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (feat. Davido)
“Showa” – Kizz Daniel
“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez
“OZEBA” – Rema
“Love Me Jeje” – Tems
“Cast” – Shallipopi (feat. Odumodublvck)
“Dealer” – Ayo Maff (feat. Fireboy DML)
Headies Next Rated
Odumodublvck — Winner
Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Ayo Maff
Nasboi
Best Digital Artiste of the Year
Davido — Winner
Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Kizz Daniel
Asake
Best East African Artiste of the Year
Juma Jux (Tanzania) — Winner
Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)
Music legend 2Baba has officially introduced his new partner, lawmaker Natasha Osawaru, to his family in a video that has since gone viral.
The introduction follows a rocky chapter in 2Baba’s personal life, including a widely publicised breakup with his longtime partner, Annie Macaulay, and an emotional plea from his mother urging Natasha to distance herself from the singer.
Earlier this year, 2Baba’s mother, Rose, made headlines when she tearfully appealed to Natasha to “release” her son from what she described as a troubling relationship.
“This message is for Miss Natasha Osawaru of Edo State. I’m calling on all mothers in Nigeria to help me beg her to free my son,” she stated.
The matriarch’s heartfelt message sparked widespread attention, with many wondering if the family would ever accept Natasha as a part of 2Baba’s life.
However, it appears that Rose has had a change of heart.
According to recent videos, Natasha met with 2Baba’s family, including his mother, in a private gathering that seemed to signify a new chapter in their relationship.
The meeting also included other key family stakeholders.