Nigeria’s global music influence just gained another milestone as Afrobeats superstar Davido officially became a voting member of the Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards.
The Academy confirmed his induction, placing him among the select Nigerian artistes with a direct role in nominating and voting for winners of the coveted golden gramophone.
In a video shared by the Recording Academy, Davido appeared alongside other newly inducted members—including Zac Brown Band, Jessie Reyez, Stewart Copeland, and Damien Sneed—highlighting the importance of active participation in the awards process.
Calling the experience a “game changer,” Davido noted: “I’ve learned how voting empowers you to have a say in what is considered and voted on each award season.”
For the 2026 Grammys, Davido will not only be an eligible contender as an artiste but also a decision-maker during both the nomination and final voting rounds. The achievement adds to his growing international profile, which includes a scheduled performance at Coachella next year.
Davido joins a growing list of Nigerians embedded in the Academy’s membership. Jaywon became a voting member in 2024, while the 2025 class added music critic Oyebanji Akins and business executive Kolawole Fashola. Earlier inductees include Laycon, Praiz, Oxlade, Bizzle Osikoya, entertainment lawyer Foza Fawehinmi, and artiste Tito Da Fire.
The Recording Academy has been introducing structural changes to make the awards more inclusive, with new categories such as Best Album Cover and the split of Country Album into Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album, starting from the 2026 edition.
The first round of voting for the 2026 Grammys begins October 3, 2025. Nominees will be announced November 7, 2025, ahead of music’s biggest night on February 1, 2026.
