Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Tems, Lojay, and Davido were all nominated for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Davido and Lojay were nominated for Best R&B Song for their contribution to Chris Brown‘s ‘Sensational’. Also nominated in the category is South African star Tyla for her smash hit ‘Water’.

Grammy winners Burna Boy and Tems were nominated in the World Artist of the Year category. The Nigerian superstars were edged out by Tyla who led the African contingent with three nominations.

The award ceremony was held Monday, March 17 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

See the full winners list below.

Artist of the Year

Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

“Beautiful Things”- Benson Boone

Best Collaboration

“Die With a Smile”– Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

Producer of the Year

Julian Bunetta

Songwriter of the Year

Amy Allen

Pop Song of the Year

“Espresso”– Sabrina Carpenter

Pop Artist of the Year

Sabrina Carpenter

Best New Artist (Pop)

Teddy Swims

Country Song of the Year

“I Had Some Help”– Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen

Country Artist of the Year

Jelly Roll

Best New Artist (Country)

Shaboozey

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

“Not Like Us”– Kendrick Lamar

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

GloRilla

Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)

BossMan Dlow

R&B Song of the Year

“Made for Me”– Muni Long

R&B Artist of the Year

SZA

Best New Artist (R&B)

4Batz

Alternative Song of the Year

“Too Sweet”- Hozier

Alternative Artist of the Year

Green Day

Best New Artist (Alt and Rock)

Fontaines D.C.

Rock Song of the Year

“A Symptom of Being Human” – Shinedown

Rock Artist of the Year

Shinedown

Dance Song of the Year

“360” – Charli xcx

Dance Artist of the Year

David Guetta

Latin Pop / Urban Song of the Year

“Perro Negro”– Bad Bunny featuring FEID

Latin Pop / Urban Artist of the Year

FEID

Best New Artist (Latin Pop / Urban)

Kapo

Regional Mexican Song of the Year

“Alch Si” – Grupo Frontera and Carin León

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year

Peso Pluma

Best New Artist (Regional Mexican)

Xavi

K-pop Artist of the Year

ATEEZ

K-pop Song of the Year

“Who”- Jimin

Best New Artist (K-pop)

ILLIT

World Artist of the Year

Tyla

Favorite Soundtrack

Wicked

Favorite Broadway Debut

Rachel Zegler – Romeo + Julie

Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge

“GGUM”- Yeonjun (TXT)

Favorite Surprise Guest

Taylor Swift bringing out Travis Kelce

Favorite Tour Tradition

Taylor Swift – Surprise songs

Best Lyrics

“Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

Best Music Video

“Fortnight”- Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

Favorite Tour Style

Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour

Favorite Tour Photographer

Alfredo Flores – Sabrina Carpenter

Favorite On Screen

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) (Taylor Swift)

Album of the Year

Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish

Pop Album of the Year

The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift

Alternative Album of the Year

Clancy – twenty one pilots

Rock Album of the Year

From Zero – Linkin Park

Country Album of the Year

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone

Dance Album of the Year

brat – Charli xcx

K-Pop Album of the Year

Ate – Stray Kids

Hip-hop Album of the Year

We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin

R&B Album of the Year

Coming Home – Usher

Latin Pop/Urban Album of the Year

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – Shakira

Regional Mexican Album of the Year

Éxodo – Peso Pluma

Tour of the Century

Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour

Icon Award

Mariah Carey

Innovator Award

Lady Gaga

Label of the Year

Republic Records

Landmark Award

Nelly

Breakthrough Award

Gracie Abrams

Nigerian influencer and media personality, Enioluwa, has sparked a heated debate on Twitter (now X) after commenting on the growing scarcity of doctors in Nigeria.

His statement, which was made in response to the recent #MatchDay2025 celebrations, highlighted concerns over the mass emigration of medical professionals from the country. In his post, he expressed his concern about the number of doctors left and how it would affect patients.

“Very soon, there won’t be enough Doctors to treat people in Nigeria. The best of that field will have left the country. Congratulations to you all on your #MatchDay2025. You deserve to exist in a country that rewards your hard work,” the actor wrote.

READ ALSO: I don’t joke with it – Enioluwa fumes over subtle racism within Nigeria

His post sparked reactions on the microblogging platform, as would be expected. While some people agreed with him on the scarcity of medical personnel, others slammed him for saying that the ‘best of the field’ would be the ones leaving Nigeria; suggesting it undermined the competence of doctors who have remained in the country.

Very soon, there won't be enough Doctors to treat people in Nigeria. The best of that field will have left the country.

Congratulations to you all on your #MatchDay2025. You deserve to exist in a country that rewards your hard work.

— Eni Adeoluwa (@Enioluwa_) March 17, 2025

See some reactions below:

Very soon? There’s not enough doctors right now.

I remember the last time I followed my late dad for an appointment in LUTH,we got there early, dropped a card but a nurse announced that consultants are few because they have all travelled out and the ones available will attend to few. My dad died 5 months later.

Very soon??? Have you seen how little we are already in government hospitals??? Nobody Dey again

This statement is wrong Boss. It’s insulting to those who are home doing their best with the limited resources. Na money never make some of them leave not brilliance. Please advocate and encourage those who are still around to care for our family home .

You can complain about the numbers but do not infer that the ones who left are better.

What you are telling me is that the comprehension problem even affects educated doctors???? Because why are they reading this tweet as he is saying the best did not match!! Maybe it’s just anger and sadness, if not, we seriously have a problem.

Maybe just congratulate those that matched and move on. So the ones that stayed back in Nigeria are not good. Ehn ehn funny people.

READ ALSO: Japa waves hit Nollywood as Veteran actor, Maurice Ndubueze becomes a US Medical Doctor

YouTube is now raking in millions of views for full-length Nollywood films, proving that the audience is not just there but actively consuming and engaging with the content. 

Once seen primarily as a platform for skits and low-budget content, but, today, with some filmmakers now seeing success rivalling traditional streaming platforms, it’s time for Nollywood to take YouTube more seriously. The numbers don’t lie.

A quick glance at YouTube analytics reveals that Nollywood films uploaded to the platform are pulling in millions of views within days. 

Filmmakers who previously relied on cinema releases and streaming deals are beginning to realize that YouTube offers not just visibility but direct revenue generation through ads, brand sponsorships, and even premium content models.

The success of Omoni Oboli’s Love in Every Word, which garnered 14 million views in just 10 days on YouTube, underscores a significant shift in Nollywood’s distribution landscape. 

This trend, however, isn’t entirely new; pioneers like Ruth Kadiri have been instrumental in leveraging YouTube’s vast audience to propel Nollywood content to global prominence.

Impact on Nollywood’s global reach

The migration of Nollywood content to YouTube has democratized access to Nigerian cinema, allowing filmmakers to reach international audiences without the constraints of traditional distribution channels. 

This shift not only increases visibility but also provides alternative revenue streams through ad monetization and brand partnerships. 

READ ALSO: Tayo Faniran is a Beautiful Man—and he owns it

Control over content and distribution

YouTube eliminates the gatekeepers that often dictate which films get seen and which don’t. Filmmakers have full control over their content and how it’s released, promoted, and monetized. 

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With the right digital marketing strategy, a Nollywood film can trend on YouTube, gain viral traction, and outperform titles locked behind paywalls. This level of creative freedom and distribution power is something traditional platforms don’t always offer.

Building a stronger fanbase 

Unlike cinema releases or subscription-based streaming, YouTube allows filmmakers to build a community around their work.

Comment sections, live premieres, and interactive content (such as behind-the-scenes footage, , and Q&As) create an engaged audience that feels personally invested in a filmmaker’s journey.

This relationship leads to loyal fans who are more likely to support future projects, whether on YouTube or other platforms.

The Future 

With YouTube becoming a viable distribution channel, it’s no longer just an alternative, it’s a strategic move. Filmmakers who leverage the platform effectively stand to benefit from global exposure, consistent revenue, and creative freedom. 

While traditional cinema and paid streaming services will always have their place, YouTube is proving to be the next big thing for Nollywood’s growth and sustainability.

For any Nollywood filmmaker still hesitant about embracing YouTube, the message is clear: the audience is there, the numbers are growing, and the potential is limitless. 

Now is the time to take YouTube seriously, not just as a backup, but as a primary avenue for storytelling and success.