Nigerian Entertainer Segun Johnson Wins Top Live Band Honor for a Third Straight Year

Segun Johnson, the Nigerian singer, songwriter, and bandleader whose live performances have become a fixture of the country’s most elaborate celebrations, has won the Best Entertainer in the Live Band category at the Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event Managers of Nigeria awards for the third consecutive year.

The 2025 honor, announced this month, follows his wins in 2023 and 2024 and further cements his standing at the top of Nigeria’s competitive live entertainment scene, an industry that has grown rapidly alongside the country’s expanding weddings, corporate events, and high-end social gatherings.

Johnson’s rise has been marked by an unusual musical circuit. He began as a church drummer while growing up in Lagos, later shifting to singing in his mid-20s before launching a professional career as a crossover live band artist.

Over time, he developed a distinctive performance style that blends Yoruba chants and praise poetry with contemporary street slang, Afrobeat, highlife, and party anthems, delivered with the intensity of a hype man and the precision of a seasoned bandleader.

That approach has reshaped expectations of live band music at Nigerian events. At weddings, owambe parties, and corporate functions, Johnson’s performances are known for relentless audience interaction, carefully choreographed call-and-response moments, and a seamless run of crowd-pleasing hits.

Songs like Ota Lenu, J’omo Igara Chicken, Sho Fine Gan Hype, and Presido Presido have become staples of the social circuit, circulating widely on TikTok and Instagram and reinforcing his presence beyond physical venues.

His digital following mirrors that reach. With more than one million followers on Instagram, where short clips of his performances routinely draw large audiences, Johnson has built a fan base that spans age groups and social classes, from celebrity hosts to first-time celebrants.

The APPOEMN awards, organized by the country’s leading professional body for event planners and managers, are intended to recognize performers who consistently deliver energy, professionalism, and crowd engagement. In announcing the latest win, officials cited Johnson’s reliability and ability to meet the rising standards of an increasingly demanding market.

Johnson described the three-year streak as a collective achievement, crediting his band, his management team, and audiences who continue to support his work. He noted that while the first win felt affirming, repeating it raised expectations, and the third confirmed that his team was building something meant to last.

His success comes at a moment when live music has taken on renewed importance in Nigeria’s events industry. As social celebrations become more elaborate, professional live bands have emerged as central attractions rather than background entertainment. Johnson’s performances, often praised for their nonstop pacing and inventive crowd engagement, have made him a preferred choice for high-profile clients and everyday celebrants alike.

Beyond Nigeria, his profile has continued to expand. He has performed to sold-out audiences in the United Kingdom, including at London’s Broadway Theatre and Cargo Coventry, and has appeared in cities across Africa and other regions. He has also received international recognition, including a certificate of recognition from the mayor of Brampton, Canada.

Many see his success as a template for a new generation of performers navigating a crowded and fast-evolving entertainment landscape.