Cool FM has announced the launch of the Cool FM Music Awards, known as COMA, a new awards platform designed to recognise Nigerian artistes, music professionals and other creative talents contributing to the country’s entertainment industry.
The initiative, officially announced on Friday, October 30, 2026, will feature 17 competitive award categories and a special Cool FM Icon Award, with recognition spanning four major areas: Music, Creative and Visuals, Fashion and Style, and Culture and Influence.
The awards are intended to recognise not only performing artistes but also the professionals working behind the scenes, including music producers, disc jockeys, directors, photographers, fashion designers and content creators whose contributions support the growth and visibility of Nigerian music.
Cool FM Chief Executive Officer, Serge Noujaim, said the initiative would extend the station’s nearly three decades of involvement in Nigeria’s music culture by recognising the wider creative community responsible for the industry’s success.
“Cool FM has spent nearly three decades shaping Nigeria’s music culture.”
“With COMA, we are taking that legacy further: celebrating not just the stars, but the entire creative ecosystem behind their success.”
“Nigerian music has conquered the world.”
“It is time we honour the people making it happen,” Noujaim said.
The initiative introduces a selection process that combines measurable industry performance, professional evaluation and audience participation, with organisers confirming that artistes and other eligible creatives will not be required to complete entry forms or pay submission fees.
According to the organisers, potential nominees will be identified through streaming performance, radio airplay, disc jockey rotation, social media engagement and editorial assessment.
The eligibility period covers music and creative works released between Monday, December 1, 2025, and Saturday, October 31, 2026, meaning works outside the specified period will not qualify for the inaugural edition under the announced guidelines.
A panel of industry professionals will determine the final nominees, while winners will emerge through a weighted combination of judges’ assessments, public digital voting and participation from Cool FM’s on-air audience.
The organisers explained that the voting arrangement would combine professional evaluation with public participation, while category-specific weightings would be published before voting opens.
Project Chairman of COMA, Joseph Adamu, said the awards were being developed to provide a credible platform for recognising talent, creativity and cultural contributions through professional expertise and measurable performance.
“COMA is about recognising real talent, creativity and cultural impact.”
“Our ambition is to build a credible awards platform where industry expertise, measurable performance and the voice of the audience come together to celebrate excellence,” Adamu said.
The four pillars guiding the awards are expected to provide recognition across different aspects of the entertainment industry rather than concentrating exclusively on singers and musical performances.
The Music category will focus on musical achievements, while Creative and Visuals will recognise professionals responsible for the visual and production elements that support the industry.
Fashion and Style will provide recognition for creative contributions to fashion and presentation, while Culture and Influence will highlight individuals and works whose contributions shape entertainment trends and cultural engagement.
The separate Cool FM Icon Award will serve as an additional prestigious recognition alongside the 17 competitive categories.
However, the organisers have not yet published its detailed selection criteria.
The judging panel was scheduled for announcement on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while the unveiling of nominees and commencement of public voting were scheduled for November.
The organisers have fixed Friday, December 4, 2026, for the digital announcement of the inaugural winners.
Although COMA has outlined the major selection and voting arrangements, details of the individual 17 categories, the identities of the judges and the exact voting percentages remain subject to further official clarification.
The initiative comes as Nigerian music continues to expand its international reach, with artistes, producers, music executives and other creative professionals contributing to its growing presence across global entertainment markets.
Through COMA, Cool FM says it intends to strengthen its commitment to discovering talent, championing creativity and recognising the people shaping Nigerian music and culture.
The introduction of the awards also places particular emphasis on professionals whose contributions often remain outside the spotlight, despite their roles in developing, producing, promoting and presenting successful musical works.
