Next Afrobeats Star Search Heats Up as Two Golden Mic Winners Emerge in Benin
For 22-year-old Destiny Irabor and 20-year-old Onyenankeya Eloghosa, the dream of becoming Nigeria’s next Afrobeats star moved a step closer to reality in Benin.
The two emerging artistes impressed judges at the latest auditions for Next Afrobeats Star Season 2, earning Golden Mics and securing places in the next stage of the competition.
For Irabor, an indigene of Edo State, the Golden Mic represents more than recognition. It is an opportunity to take his music career to a wider audience and turn his passion into a bigger opportunity.
For Eloghosa, the recognition has reinforced his belief that his years of pursuing music have put him on the right path. He says he is now ready to bring more energy and stronger performances as the competition progresses.
The Benin auditions also produced another milestone, with 26-year-old Adedina Mary becoming the first female contestant in the city to progress to the next round.
Describing the opportunity as her “ticket to the spotlight”, Mary said she hopes to bring originality, good music and energy to the competition.
But beyond the Golden Mics, the Benin auditions also brought to the fore stories of determination and inclusion.
Two contestants living with disabilities — 29-year-old Sameen Abdullahi from Jigawa State and 42-year-old Tasiu Abdullahi from Kano State — also stepped forward to showcase their musical talents.
Although neither advanced to the next round, their participation added a powerful human dimension to the auditions.
Sameen, who has pursued music since 2014, hopes his journey will encourage other persons living with disabilities to recognise their abilities and pursue meaningful livelihoods.
Tasiu, who has lived in Benin for 24 years, used his music to speak against drug abuse while expressing his ambition to further his education at the University of Benin.
The stories from Benin highlight the depth of emerging musical talent across Nigeria and the dreams of young people seeking opportunities to turn their abilities into sustainable careers.
Through Next Afrobeats Star, MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Ultima Studios and ONErpm, is providing young Nigerian artistes with a platform to showcase their abilities, develop their craft and pursue opportunities in the music industry.
The General Manager, Regional Operations, MTN Nigeria, Callima Inino, said the platform was created to help young Nigerians turn their talent and potential into meaningful opportunities.
“Young Nigerians are full of talent and potential, and we believe they deserve platforms that help them turn that potential into real opportunities. Next Afrobeats Star is one of the ways MTN is creating that platform, giving emerging artists the opportunity to showcase their talent and take the next step in their music journey,” Inino said.
With the Benin auditions concluded, the search now moves to other parts of the country as more aspiring artistes compete for an opportunity to advance in Next Afrobeats Star Season 2.
Physical auditions will hold in Jos from Friday, September 11 to Saturday, September 12, followed by Lagos from Friday, September 18 to Saturday, September 19.
Registration remains open until September 19, 2026.
By Innocent Onoh
