Cool FM Launches COMA, a New Music Awards With 17 Categories, With Winners Set for 4th December

Nigerian music already has its share of awards, so why does a new one matter? Because of who is behind it and how it plans to choose. On 30th October, Cool FM announced COMA, the Cool FM Music Awards, a new programme built to recognise the singers, DJs, directors and fashion figures shaping the sound of the country. The first winners will be announced on 4th December.

What COMA Is

COMA has 17 categories plus a Cool FM Icon Award, organised under four pillars: music, creative and visuals, fashion and style, and culture and influence. The full category list has not been published yet.

Cool FM brings close to thirty years of shaping Nigeria's music culture to the project, and COMA is meant to celebrate the whole creative ecosystem behind an artiste's success, not only the stars.

Who Is Eligible

Eligible work must have been released between 1st December 2025 and 31st October 2026. There is no submission form and no entry fee, so nobody has to apply or pay to be considered. That window covers songs PINCHED has written about, such as Waje and Shoday's "My Sunshine", though nominees have not been announced.

How Nominees and Winners Are Chosen

Cool FM plans to identify nominees using streaming performance, radio airplay, DJ rotation, social engagement and editorial assessment, with a judging panel of industry figures determining the final nominees. No formula has been published, but category-specific weightings are to be released before voting opens.

Winners will come from a weighted mix of a judging panel, public digital voting and Cool FM's on-air audience. That means fans will have a say, alongside industry judges.

Key Dates

• 31st October: the judging panel was scheduled to be announced.

• November: nominees will be unveiled and public voting opens.

• 4th December: winners will be announced digitally.

No ceremony date or venue has been given, since winners will be announced online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is COMA?

COMA is the Cool FM Music Awards, a new Nigerian awards programme announced on 30th October 2026. It has 17 categories and a Cool FM Icon Award.

Who Can Win a COMA Award?

Work released between 1st December 2025 and 31st October 2026 is eligible. There are no entry forms or fees.

When Are the COMA Winners Announced?

Winners will be announced digitally on 4th December 2026. Nominees and voting are due in November.

How Are COMA Winners Chosen?

Through a weighted mix of a judging panel, public digital voting and Cool FM's on-air audience participation.