A recent comment from the Nigerian Presidency has sparked conversation online after officials questioned why a globally celebrated Nigerian song failed to receive one of music’s biggest honours.
The Nigerian Presidency has expressed surprise over why Wizkid’s hit song Essence did not win a Grammy Awards, despite its global success.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, raised the issue on social media after Wizkid’s recent appearance at the Coachella 2026 festival. During the performance, Wizkid was joined on stage by Tems and Justin Bieber to perform the remix of Essence, a song that has continued to enjoy massive popularity across the world.
Reacting to the performance, Onanuga praised the song, describing it as vibrant and well-produced. He wondered openly why such a successful track did not win a Grammy award, especially considering its wide acceptance and impact on global music.
The Coachella performance reminded many fans of the song’s influence since its release in 2020. Essence played a key role in pushing Afrobeats into the global spotlight and was embraced by listeners far beyond Africa. It also made history as the first Nigerian song to reach the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Over time, the song gained strong international recognition, receiving heavy airplay and inspiring collaborations with global artists. Its success helped position Afrobeats as one of the fastest-growing music genres in the world, with many fans believing it deserved to win a Grammy.
However, the Presidency’s remark has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some people supported the view and agreed that Essence deserved the award, others criticised the comment.
They argued that government officials should focus more on pressing national challenges such as economic hardship, inflation, hunger, and poverty instead of discussing entertainment issues.
The debate has continued on social media, with many Nigerians sharing different opinions about music recognition, international awards, and the role of public officials in public discourse.
