Entertainment News Today, 14 November 2026: Dear Ajayi Hits Cinemas, Grammy Nominations Monday, Asake Lagos Show
Last updated: 14 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Saturday 14 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good morning. It is a big weekend for Nigerian cinema, with Nigeria’s Oscar entry finally on wide release, and a big week ahead for Nigerian music, with Grammy nominations due on Monday. We also have a star-studded new album from DJ Tunez, Asake’s Detty December homecoming, a Fuji legend’s crossover record, and a near miss for two Nigerian streamers in Los Angeles.
Today at a glance
- Dear Ajayi, Nigeria’s Oscar submission, opens nationwide alongside thriller Five Figurines.
- 2027 Grammy nominations are announced on Monday 16 November; Nigerian names are among the predicted contenders.
- DJ Tunez releases In Tunez We Trust Vol. 1 with Wizkid, FOLA and Odumodublvck.
- Asake will close Future Fest in Lagos on 20 December; tickets start at ₦100,000.
- Pasuma’s Fuji Afro album brings in Olamide, Qdot and Terry Apala.
- Peller and Carter Efe miss out on Best International Streamer at the Streamer Awards.
1. Cinema weekend: Dear Ajayi and Five Figurines open
What happened
Three Nigerian films opened or returned to cinemas on Friday 13 November. The most talked-about is Dear Ajayi, Damilola Orimogunje’s drama about two estranged sisters forced under one roof to care for their sick mother in 1990s south-west Nigeria. It stars Bimbo Akintola, Tosin Adeyemi and veteran Lanre Hassan, won two awards at the Venice Film Festival, and is Nigeria’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards. After an earlier limited run, it is now on wide release through FilmOne. Also new is Five Figurines, an Akay Mason psychological thriller in which a grieving mother turns to traditional means after her son’s suspicious death; its cast includes Ini Edo, Uche Montana, Mike Ezuruonye and Odunlade Adekola. Issakaba Returns, which we covered yesterday, also opened.
Why it matters
A strong home box office run gives Dear Ajayi momentum as Oscar campaigning builds, and the crowded slate shows how busy Nigerian cinemas are heading into the festive season. For more to watch at home, see our list of the best Nollywood movies of all time.
Source: QED; Ghanamma; YNaija.
2. Grammy nominations land on Monday
What happened
The Recording Academy will reveal nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards on Monday 16 November, with the full list going up on Grammy.com at 9am Eastern Time (3pm in Lagos, 2pm in London). Presenters include Pharrell Williams and Olivia Dean. The ceremony takes place on 7 February 2027 in Los Angeles. Best African Music Performance, now in its fourth year, has five slots, and Nigerian acts including Tems, Wizkid, Asake and Ayra Starr appear on several prediction lists. These are forecasts only; nothing is confirmed until the Academy publishes its list.
Why it matters
Grammy nods drive streaming, touring fees and global attention for Afrobeats. Nigerian artists have won in the African category before, and fans will be watching the wider categories too. Read our background guide to Nigerian Grammy nominees 2027.
Source: The Beats of Africa; Brush Music; Ramp247.
3. DJ Tunez gathers Wizkid, FOLA and friends
What happened
Nigerian-American DJ and producer DJ Tunez released In Tunez We Trust Vol. 1 on Friday, a nine-track album of just under 30 minutes. Wizkid appears on two songs: One Condition, which also features FOLA, and Easy With Me alongside Odumodublvck. Other guests include Seyi Vibez, Tay Iwar, Mannywellz, Shoday, Alpha P, Terry Apala, Khaid, Daecolm and production duo Legendury Beatz. Both Wizkid songs were released as singles before the album.
Why it matters
DJ Tunez has a long working relationship with Wizkid, going back to hits such as Gbese and Pami, and the guest list mixes established stars with newer voices like FOLA, who led this year’s Headies nominations.
Source: JB Republic; Kazi Magazine; TheWill.
4. Asake to close Future Fest in Lagos
What happened
Asake has announced a headline show at Oasis Ground on the Coastal Road, Victoria Island, on Sunday 20 December, as the closing night of Future Fest ’26, a ten-day festival running from 11 to 20 December. He will perform songs from his fourth album, M$NEY, released in May. Ticket tiers seen on the sales page range from ₦100,000 for general access to ₦20 million for a platinum table. The show follows the end of his In God We Trust world tour in Paris.
Why it matters
Fans had been asking whether Asake would play at home this Detty December. The ticket prices will also feed the ongoing debate about how affordable December concerts are for ordinary Lagosians.
Source: Pulse Nigeria; allAfrica; DancehallMag.
5. Pasuma goes Fuji Afro
What happened
Fuji veteran Wasiu Alabi Odetola, better known as Pasuma, has released Fuji Afro, a 12-track album on his Wasbar Records label that he executive-produced himself. Olamide features on Ijo Alhaji, Qdot on Up Up Way and Terry Apala on the closing track, Apala Fuji. It is his first full crossover album since My World about a decade ago, and it blends Fuji drums and vocals with Afrobeats and street-pop production.
Why it matters
Fuji has shaped much of today’s Lagos street-pop sound. A veteran working directly with the younger stars he influenced keeps the genre in front of new listeners.
Source: ThisDay; HypeTribe; stupidDOPE.
6. Streamer Awards: near miss for Peller and Carter Efe
What happened
Nigerian content creators Peller and Carter Efe were among five nominees for Best International Streamer at the 2026 Streamer Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, but the prize went to Indian streamer Ashswag. Winners in the 37 categories were decided 70 per cent by public vote and 30 per cent by an industry panel.
Why it matters
Two Nigerians on a five-name global shortlist shows how fast the country’s live-streaming scene has grown, and how it is starting to earn money and recognition beyond music and film.
Source: Legit.ng; GWG.
What to watch next
- Monday 16 November: 2027 Grammy nominations, from 2pm UK / 3pm Nigeria.
- Friday 20 November: the Children of Blood and Bone soundtrack, curated by Tems.
- First-weekend box office figures for Dear Ajayi, Five Figurines and Issakaba Returns.
- 11 to 20 December: Future Fest ’26 in Lagos, ending with Asake.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nigeria’s 2027 Oscar submission?
Dear Ajayi, directed by Damilola Orimogunje, is Nigeria’s entry for Best International Feature Film. It is now showing in Nigerian cinemas.
When are the 2027 Grammy nominations announced?
Monday 16 November 2026. The full list is published on Grammy.com at 9am Eastern Time, which is 3pm in Nigeria.
How much are Asake’s Lagos concert tickets?
Tiers seen on the ticketing page start at ₦100,000 for general access and rise to ₦20 million for the top table package.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
