MTN Nigeria and entertainment company Ultima Studios have unveiled Season 2 of the _Next Afrobeats Star_ talent competition, with the winner’s recording deal prize increased from N150 million to N225 million.
The announcement was made during a media parley in Lagos on Saturday.
Organisers said the winner of the competition will also receive a brand-new Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The first, second and third runners-up will earn recording deals valued at N100 million, N75 million and N50 million respectively.
The Next Afrobeats Star (NAS) is a Nigerian music reality show powered by MTN Nigeria and Ultima Studios to discover and mentor emerging musical talents.
Speaking at the unveiling, the General Manager, Brand and Communications, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Emamoke Ogoro, said the competition is designed to bridge the gap between musical talent and sustainable careers by giving emerging artistes access to industry opportunities.
She noted that unlike conventional talent shows where contestants perform existing songs, participants on Next Afrobeats Star are required to create and perform original music. This, she said, is intended to help them build lasting careers beyond the competition.
According to Ogoro, all contestants’ songs will be released on major global streaming platforms to ensure wider visibility and commercial opportunities.
She added that six contestants from MTN’s grassroots talent discovery platform, alongside a wildcard entrant, will join the main competition for the first time. This, she said, expands access for emerging talents nationwide.
Applications for Season 2 will remain open until August 17. Ogoro urged aspiring musicians to take advantage of the platform to launch professional careers in the music industry.
According to the organisers, the best 200 contestants will perform before a judging panel comprising returning judges Obi Asika and ID Cabasa, alongside new judges Masterkraft and Big Bird.
They also disclosed that songs performed during the television broadcasts will be released immediately on streaming platforms, rather than waiting until the end of the competition.
The organisers expressed confidence that the second edition will attract more entries and create deeper opportunities for emerging Afrobeats talents across Nigeria.