Davido's '5ive' Wins Album of the Year at AFRIMMA 2026

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has won Album of the Year at the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) for his critically acclaimed project, '5ive'. The announcement was made on Tuesday via AFRIMMA's official Instagram page, capping a remarkable night for the singer who entered the ceremony as the most-nominated artiste with five nods across several categories.

The awards and music festival were held on September 12, 2026, at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas, Texas, marking AFRIMMA's grand return after a two-year hiatus. The victory for '5ive' adds to the growing list of accolades the album has received since its release in 2025, further cementing Davido's status as one of Africa's biggest music exports.

Davido's nominations included Artist of the Year, Best Male West Africa, the Crossing Boundaries With Music Award, and Album of the Year for '5ive'. His collaboration with Omah Lay, 'With You', was also recognised in both the Best Collaboration and Song of the Year categories. However, it was '5ive' that ultimately delivered the top prize, surpassing a competitive field that included Black Sherif's 'Top of The Morning Era', Omah Lay's 'Clarity of Mind', Asake's 'M$NEY', Tyla's 'A-Pop', Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness', Lloyiso's 'Never Thought I Could', Leigh-Anne's 'My Ego Told Me To', and Himra's 'SORRY I'M BAD'.

The album, which features collaborations with international and continental stars including Omah Lay, Chris Brown, Tay Iwar, and Shenseea, was also nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year at the 2026 Headies. The AFRIMMA win represents a significant addition to Davido's decorated career, which has seen him become a fixture at award ceremonies across Africa and beyond.

Davido was not the only Nigerian artiste to shine at the ceremony. Tems won Best Female West Africa, while Ruger took home Best Male West Africa. The official AFRIMMA results also named Fally Ipupa Artist of the Year, while BNXN and Sarz won Song of the Year. Director Pink won Best Video Director, DJ Tunez took home the award for Best DJ Africa, and Phyno won the Best Male Act category. Timaya was recognised with the Timeless Impact Award for his enduring contributions to the African music industry.

The 2026 AFRIMMA ceremony was particularly significant as it marked the awards' return after a two-year break. Organisers had promised a bigger experience and introduced the inaugural AFRIMMA music festival in Dallas, featuring African musicians, dancers, food vendors, and fashion showcases. The festival format represented an evolution for the awards, transforming them from a single-night ceremony into a multi-day celebration of African culture and creativity.

Davido's victory has sparked reactions across social media, with fans and industry observers celebrating the achievement while others engaged in the perennial debates that accompany major award wins. For Davido, however, the focus remains on building on the momentum of '5ive' and continuing to fly the flag for African music on the global stage. The AFRIMMA win adds to his growing collection of honours and reinforces his position as a leading figure in the Afrobeats movement that has taken the world by storm.

As African music continues its unprecedented global expansion, awards like AFRIMMA play a crucial role in recognising and celebrating the artistes driving the continent's cultural export. Davido's win for '5ive' is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the vibrancy and quality of African music production. With the album already earning accolades and the singer showing no signs of slowing down, the '5ive' era appears far from over, and Davido's legion of fans across the world will be eager to see what he delivers next.