A winner has emerged in the Next Afrobeats Star reality show, which was hosted by MTN Nigeria, in partnership with ONErpm and Ultima Studios.
For emerging victorious after an electrifying grand finale, Ayodeji Benson simply known as Ayo Benzi, smiled home with a whopping ₦150 million
The competition, which began with over 15,000 participants from three regional auditions in September 2025, culminated in a high-energy finale featuring five finalists: Ayo Benzi, Dave Cash, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay, each delivering stand out performances that reflected weeks of intense training, mentorship and artistic growth.
At the end of the final show held at Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Ayo Benzi clinched the top spot, securing a ₦150 million grand prize.
Dave Cash, the first runner-up went home with ₦100 million, followed by Kaeko with ₦75 million, Somto O’Laker with ₦50 million, and Lucky Yay with ₦25 million, underscoring the platform’s commitment to celebrating and rewarding multiple talents.
For several weeks that the show lasted, producers and hit makers including Sarz, Puffy Tee, P. Prime and Andre Vibez guided the contestants through songwriting, performance, stage presence, and the realities of the industry.
Ayo Benzi was part of Puffy Tee’s team, a mentorship experience that played out strongly at the grand finale. Reflecting on his journey, Ayo Benzi described it as a defining moment in his career and expressed appreciation for the support he received throughout the competition.
The finale also featured special appearances and performances from music stars Iyanya and Bella Shmurda, adding to the celebratory atmosphere and reinforcing the show’s connection to the wider Afrobeats ecosystem.