After a prolonged hiatus, the Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards (NIGMA) made a triumphant return on Sunday, August 9, 2026, staging its 5th edition at the prestigious Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, in a star-studded gathering that brought together gospel ministers, Nollywood veterans, musicians and key industry stakeholders. The landmark event filled the venue to capacity, marking a significant new chapter in the awards’ history as it returned to the public stage with an evening dedicated to celebrating talent, excellence, creativity, faith and impact.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere reflected the significance of the occasion, with a glamorous red carpet opening and an impressive stage design, lighting and sound setup that created a fitting environment for the awards’ comeback. One of the major highlights was the strong representation from Nollywood and Nigeria’s wider creative industry, with notable personalities including veteran actor and filmmaker Fred Amata, actor-producer Emeka Ossai, veteran actors Segun Arinze, Tony Akposeri and Kepy Ekpeyong Bassey, and Nollywood producer-writer Lilian Amah. The gathering also attracted respected filmmakers and industry leaders such as Andy Boyo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman of the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), and Zik Zulu Okafor, alongside Shaibu Husseini, Director-General of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). Also present were smooth soul singer Alex O, on-air personality Cordelia Okpei, Kingdom Entrepreneurs’ Dr Tim Ogboruche and Tunde Praise, as well as Nollywood producer-director-singer Abay Esho and veteran producer-singer Mike Nliam.
While the event drew personalities from across the entertainment industry, the heart of the evening remained firmly rooted in gospel music and Christian creativity, with gospel ministers and artistes including Tkeyz, Elwoma and Ehiliz adding their presence to the celebration. The night also featured celebrated Nigerian rapper Vector the Viper, demonstrating music’s ability to transcend genres, while popular gospel singer and comedian Akpororo brought his distinctive blend of music, humour and entertainment to the vibrant atmosphere.
Beyond the glamour, performances and star-studded attendance, the 5th edition carried deeper significance for its organisers, with NIGMA CEO Kingsley Omoefe and the organising team describing the successful return as a testimony of faith, perseverance, resilience and God’s faithfulness. The CEO expressed immense joy and gratitude to God for making the event possible, while appreciating guests, nominees, award recipients, partners, gospel ministers, artistes, entertainment industry stakeholders, media and everyone who contributed to the success of the night. The return also reaffirmed NIGMA’s vision of providing a credible platform for recognising individuals and organisations whose work continues to contribute to the growth, development and influence of gospel music and Christian entertainment in Nigeria.
The strong presence of Nollywood alongside gospel musicians and ministers highlighted the increasingly important relationship between faith, music, film and the broader creative economy, demonstrating that gospel entertainment can provide a platform where spirituality, creativity, culture and professional excellence come together to engage audiences and celebrate positive impact. As NIGMA begins its next chapter, organisers are looking ahead with renewed commitment to building a platform that not only honours excellence but also inspires the next generation of gospel artistes, ministers and Christian creatives. With the successful staging of the 5th edition, NIGMA has returned with a renewed sense of purpose, to celebrate faith, honour excellence, recognise impact and promote the power of gospel music and Christian creativity, and for everyone who gathered at the Muson Centre on August 9, the message was unmistakable: NIGMA is back, this time with a renewed vision, a stronger community and an unwavering commitment to excellence.