The Pandora Awards Just Got Bigger - New Beauty Categories Join The Music Celebration

Written by Kaothar Mustapha

For seven years, the Pandora Awards have stood as one of northern Nigeria’s most respected platforms for celebrating excellence. Organised by Mama’s Boy Entertainment, the annual event recognises outstanding contributions from public figures across entertainment, sports, governance, and civil society. Now, as the awards prepare for their 8th Edition, they are expanding in a bold new direction—introducing zonal beauty pageant categories that sit alongside the event’s deep-rooted musical honours.

Music has always been central to the Pandora Awards. The 7th Edition, held in November 2025 at Abuja’s A-Class Event Center, was a landmark night for the Arewa music scene. Auta Waziri took home Album of the Year for his Bana Lafiya EP—a project that masterfully balances soulful melodies with cultural resonance. Described as “a win for the entire Kannywood and Arewa music community,” the recognition cemented Waziri’s status as a leading voice in northern Nigerian music.

Beyond Waziri, the awards have consistently championed emerging talent. Eshert Aleeyu received the “Rising Female Rap Star of the Year” award, a testament to her growing influence and contribution to contemporary rap music in a scene where female rappers remain underrepresented. Her recognition reflects the Pandora Awards’ commitment to amplifying diverse voices across the region’s music industry.

The 8th Edition brings with it a new chapter- Beauty, Intelligence and Leadership categories: Miss North East, Miss North West, and Miss North Central. Each participating state will nominate four representatives, from whom one winner will emerge to represent their state at the zonal level. Zonal winners will then become the face of their zone, carrying the banner of their region and inspiring change across the north.

The new categories reflect a deliberate shift toward celebrating holistic excellence—beauty intertwined with purpose, intelligence with leadership, and influence with positive impact. The tagline—”Celebrating Beauty. Intelligence. Leadership. Impact.”—captures this evolution perfectly.

As the 8th Edition approaches, anticipation is building. For music lovers and streaming platform users, the Pandora Awards remain a vital barometer of northern Nigeria’s musical pulse. The introduction of beauty and leadership categories only adds to the excitement, creating a celebration that honours not just what artists create, but who they are and the communities they represent.

As the Pandora Awards continue to celebrate the artists, songs, and moments shaping African music, fans have more reasons to stay connected to the sounds they love. With Mdundo, you can stream and discover your favourite music, revisit award-winning hits, and keep up with the artists making waves across the continent. The awards may celebrate the stars, but Mdundo keeps the music playing.