Nigerian Idol is the local version of the Idol series franchise. It is the second Idol franchise for the country as it was already part of Idols West Africa[1] which was also shot and produced in Stockholm, Sweden.

Nigerian Idol
Created bySimon Fuller
Presented byTiwa Savage & IllRymz (Season2)
Anis Holloway and Misi Holloway
JudgesJeffrey Daniel (Season1)
Yinka Davies (Season1-Season5)
Audu Maikori (Season1)
Charly Boy (Season2)
Femi Kuti (Season3)
Naeto C (Season3)
Darey (Season4-Season5)
Nneka (Season4)
Dede Mabiaku (Season4-Season5)
Obi Asika (Season6)
Seyi Shay (Season6)
DJ Sose (Season6)
Obi Asika (Season7)
Dbanj (Season7)
Simi (Season7)
Toolz (Season7)
Omawumi (Season7)
Obi Asika (Season8)
Dbanj (Season8)
Simi (Season8)
Omawumi (Season 9)
Ric Hassani (Season 9)
9ice (Season 9)
Country of originNigeria
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
Production
Running time60-120 min.
Original release
NetworkVarious
Release2010 (2010) –
Present (Present)

The show started with its first season in 2010, the 50th anniversary of the country with the tagline Live Your Dream. Accept No Limitation.[2]

Auditions were open for every Nigerian between 18 and 28. The first season went on air in October 2010 and is shown on 15 different channels all across Africa.

On March 27, 2011, 26-year-old Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert Onwuka aka "yeka onka" from Ohafia was announced the first Nigerian Idol ever over fellow competitor Naomi Ebiama. Onyekachi was awarded the sum of 7.5 Million Naira, a recording contract with Sony, a car and an all-expense-paid trip to South Africa. Prior of receiving a Golden Ticket in Lagos Yeka unsuccessfully auditioned on two other occasions for the show.[3][4][5] For the creation of the winning song the two finalists collaborated with award-winning producer Jesse Jagz.[6] Yeka has since performed in different world know stages and started the first female band known as the "Gfactor band" in Nigeria.

There have been nine following Nigerian Idol winners to date: Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert, Mercy Chinwo,[7] Moses Obi Adigwe, Evelle, K-Peace, Kingdom Kroseide, Progress, Victory Gbakara and Chima Udoye.

Judges and hosts

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Judges

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For season one, Yinka Davies,[8] Audu Maikori and Jeffrey Daniel were selected to be the judges. In season two, Maikori was replaced with Charly Boy as a judge. In season three, Femi Kuti replaced Charly. In season four, Darey, Nneka, and Dede Mabiaku were selected as judges. In season five, Yinka Davies replaced Nneka. In season six, Obi Asika,[9] Seyi Shay[10] and DJ Sose[11] were selected to be the judges with IK Osakioduwa[12] serving as host. In season 7, Simi,[13] D’banj,[14] Yinka Davies and Obi Asoka were stipulated to be judges. In Season 9 Omawumi, Ric Hassani and 9ice were chosen to be the judges.[15][16]

Season 1

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The show was hosted by Misi and Anis Holloway and the panel of judges consists of producer and record label owner Audu Maikori, former Shalamar singer/dancer Jeffrey Daniel, and singer Yinka Davies.

Elimination chart

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Legend
Did Not Perform Female Male Top 50 Wild Card Top 10 Winner
Safe Safe First Safe Last Eliminated
Stage: Semi Wild
Card
Finals
Week: 12/23 12/30 1/6 1/13 1/20 1/27 2/3 2/10 2/17 2/24 3/3 3/10 3/17 3/27
Place Contestant Result
1 Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert 2nd Btm 3 Btm 4 Btm 3 Btm 2 Btm 2 Winner(51%)
2 Naomi Ebiama 1st Runner-Up(49%)
3 Emmanuel Patrick 2nd Btm 4 Btm 4 Btm 3 Elim
4 Bello Lydia Biodum 1st Elim
5 Glory Orishki 2nd Btm 3 Elim
6-7 Alex Olori 3rd Btm 4 Elim
Zoe Chinaka 1st
8-9 Oluwatoni Afolayan Elim Saved Btm 4 Elim
George Ukeme 2nd
10-11 Ajumoke Nwaeze Elim Saved Elim
Chito Ann Akwueh Elim Saved
12-13 Kalu-Ude Nnenna 1st Elim
Olamide Etti 2nd
14 Ken Nwaoji 1st Wdrw
Wild
Card
Rachel Tamunokuro Ogonodi Elim Elim
Amadi Lawrence Elim
Immaculate Edache Elim
Irene Ojarigho Elim
Semi-
Final 5
Amy Elim
Bibi
Funmi
Kemi
Thoinette
Semi-
Final 4
Adetoun Adekoya Grace Elim
Anthony Nsikak Akpan
Chioma Success Ezeh
Ewoma Egedi
Ndidiamaka Percious Okonkwo
Obiala Leonard Chinyere
Semi-
Final 3
Chukwudi Victor Okwege Elim
Faith Dode
Godson Chimew Godson
Grace Udoh
Jessica Sunny
Olajumoke Rachael Oyebodejo
Toyosi Alasi
Semi-
Final 2
Domita Ojeme Abodo Elim
Felicia Ugoaro
Lawrence Paul
Lynn Eke
Onyekachukwu Nwaligbe
Safiya Ramat Idachaba
Sunday Onyeka Otabo
Semi-
Final 1
Abraham Emurewa Elim
Joe Ekpo
Ogunbodede "Bukky" Oluwabukola
Ruth Nwachukwu
Sadia Ibrahim

Season 2

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In 2012, singer Charly Boy replaced Audu Maikori who left the show to concentrate on other projects. The hosts are Tiwa Savage[17] and IllRymz. The contestants were Chinedu, Najita, Nikki, Lynda, Ibinabo, Honey, Diwari, A.Y.O, Mercy, Steven Onochie, Anthony Ekpo and Sly 1 (Sylvester Kingston). Mercy Chinwo was the eventual winner.

Season 6

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Nigerian Idol
 
Hosted byIK Osakioduwa
JudgesObi Asika
Seyi Shay
DJ Sose
WinnerKingdom Kroseide[18]
Runner-upFrancis Atela
Finals venueAfrica Magic Studios
Release
Original networkAfrica Magic
Original releaseMarch 14 (2021-03-14) –
July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11)

After a five year hiatus, Nigerian Idol was picked up by Multichoice[19] and sponsored by Tecno Mobile[20] and Bigi Drinks[21] and began airing in 2021. Obi Asika, Seyi Shay and DJ Sose were selected as judges for the season. The show was hosted by veteran host IK Osakioduwa.

Through a series of auditions, a controversial top 11 was picked by the judges. This deviated from the usual top 10 format that was meant to be used in the selection. This act stirred up a lot of conversation on Nigerian social media space.

The Top 11 included Kingdom Kroseide, Clinton, Atela Francis, Akunna, Comfort Alalade, Beyoncé Ajomiwe, Daniel Ikechi, Faith Mac, Faith Jason, Dotun Deloye and Eljay. The contestants finished in the following positions. 1st.Kingdom, 2nd.Francis, 3rd.Akunna, 4th.Comfort, 5th.Faith Jason, 6th.Emmanuel, 7th.Beyonce, 8th.Daniel, 9th.Clinton, 1O&11.Faith Mac & Dotun. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the live shows didn’t have human audiences and used applause tracks instead.

For the top 5, top 4 and top 3 live shows, guest judges were brought in to evaluate the contestants. The guest judges included Mr P,[22] Praiz[23] and Cobhams Asuquo[24] respectively.

In July 2021, Kingdom Kroseide emerged winner in what is said to be the most emotional Nigerian Idol finale ever. Kroseide was declared winner over his fellow Top 2 contestant, Atela Francis.

Kroseide was given a prize money of 30 million Naira, A brand new SUV, All expense paid trips to Dubai and Seychelles, a recording contract, a one year supply of Bigi Drinks and much more.

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Result Ref
2021 Net Honours Most Popular Event Nominated [25]

References

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  1. ^ BellaNaija.com (2007-02-20). "IDOLS WEST AFRICA". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  2. ^ "Nigerian Idol - About the Show". Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  3. ^ "Third Time Lucky Yeka Onka Wins Nigerian Idol, Articles | THISDAY LIVE". Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  4. ^ "Mar2811 Entertainment News". Archived from the original on 2011-05-02. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  5. ^ "Yeka Onka Wins First Nigerian Idol - INFORMATION NIGERIA". 28 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Blog, AllBaze Gospel (2020-05-08). "Mercy Chinwo Blessed AllBaze.com". AllBaze.com. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  8. ^ "Yinka Davies biography, net worth, age, family, contact & picture". www.manpower.com.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  9. ^ "Obi Asika Biography, Career, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth". Naijabiography Media. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  10. ^ "Who is Seyi Shay? All About Her Net Worth and Family Life". buzznigeria.com. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  11. ^ Golub, Kate (2018-09-12). "Interesting Story of DJ Sose". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  12. ^ "Ik Osakioduwa's Biography, Age, Net Worth, Wife, And Education". koko.ng. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  13. ^ Isaac, Oludare (2021-04-16). "Full Biography Of Simi & Net Worth: Age, Songs, Awards And Facts". NAIJAXTREME. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  14. ^ "Obi Asika Biography, Career, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth". Naijabiography Media. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  15. ^ "Omawumi, Ric Hassani, 9ice replace Simi, DBanj, Asika as Nigerian Idol judges". The Nation. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  16. ^ "9ice, Omawumi, Ric Hassani announced as Nigerian Idol's new judges". Punch Newspaper. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Biography of Tiwa Savage: Age, Profile, Songs, Wedding and More". nigerianfinder.com. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  18. ^ Augoye, Jayne (2021-07-11). "Kingdom wins Nigerian Idol Season 6". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  19. ^ "The MultiChoice Group". MultiChoice. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  20. ^ "Home". Tecno. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  21. ^ "BIGI SOFT DRINKS". Rite Foods Limited. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  22. ^ hobby, Follow meMotion BloggerBlogger at Biography WebWriting as a; together, web design as a profession Motion Blogger combines both; Talent, To Give Back to the World His. "Mr. P". Biography Web. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  23. ^ "Praiz biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  24. ^ "Cobhams Asuquo story - Youngstars Foundation". www.youngstarsfoundation.org. Retrieved 2022-12-17.
  25. ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
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