MTN Project Fame West Africa, once a staple in Nigerian entertainment circles, dominated conversations among entertainment enthusiasts for the thrill of competition and the raw talents it unearthed. The show’s impact on the careers of its winners is a testament to its significance in the Nigerian music industry.
Project Fame was a prominent music talent show that aired from 2008 to 2016, spanning nine seasons. The show served as a shining light for many Nigerian artistes.
|
|
Though it was hosted and produced in English in Lagos, Nigeria, which expanded the show’s audience reach, it was a talent show that featured contestants from multiple West African countries.
In the 2010s, Project Fame became a major stepping-stone for young stars to the spotlight. Many have since made impressive endeavours beyond music and Nollywood, showcasing their versatility and resilience. But where are the winners today? We will find out in this article.
|
|
|---|
Iyanya’s first-ever winner (2008)
Iyanya Onoyom, popularly known as Iyanya, was the pioneering winner of the first edition of Project Fame in 2008 after battling numerous contenders with similar dreams. The ‘Kukere’ crooner cashed N5 million, an SUV, and a recording deal for his success in Project Fame.
Unlike many competition winners who faded into obscurity after their victories, the 2008 MTN-sponsored Project Fame competition marked a significant turning point in Iyanya’s music career. His victory was just the beginning of a journey that saw him making waves in the Nigerian music scene with his 2009 debut album, ‘My Story’, which featured songs like ‘No Time’ and ‘Love Truly’.
He co-founded ‘Made Men Music Group’ with Ubi Franklin in 2011, which preceded his 2013 second studio album, ‘My Desire’, with single hits like ‘Kukere’, ‘Ur Waist’, ‘Flavour’ and ‘Sexy Mama.’ Before his announcement to join Marvin’s Records in 2016, Iyanya parted ways with Made Men Music Group, which launched Tekno.
2013, Iyanya expanded his global presence with significant performances in the UK, US, and Canada. He headlined the “Iyanya vs. Desire” concert tour in London and Manchester, which featured performances by Tonto Dikeh and Emma Nyra. The tour also took him to cities like Chicago, Dallas, and New York, where he appeared at New York Fashion Week and performed for Grammy nominee Melanie Fiona.
Despite his heavy awards gallery, in 2025, Iyanya, with his wealth of music experience and abilities, became a judge in Nigerian Idol, a Nigerian singing competition show. In an interview with HipTV in 2015, Iyanya claimed most reality show winners did not thrive because they had no intention of becoming famous or ready for stardom. The singer’s latest single is ‘Yebo!’, released on 21 March 2025, after he released his fourth studio album, ‘Once Upon A Cat’, in 2024.
Mike Anyasodo, winner (2009)
Mike Anyasodo was proclaimed winner of the 2009 edition of Project Fame on 27 September 2009, with a massive prize of N2.5 million, a Toyota RAV 4 and a 1-year recording contract. This win marked a significant turning point in his music career, providing him the resources and platform to establish himself in the industry. He rebranded as iMike and ventured into songwriting and music production, further solidifying his visibility in the music scene.
Following his win, he dropped his first single, titled ‘Fine Fine Lady’, which lingered well on the lips of his fans. He later released singles like ‘Adaure’, ‘Never Far’, ‘Fine Fine Lady ’, ‘Ud ’, and ‘Handle You’. Despite not achieving mainstream success, he has continued to release music and perform at various events. In early 2024, he released three singles: “Wild Dreams,” “I Don’t Care,” and “No Be So.” His most recent appearance was in May 2025, when he was featured on DJ Randy Universe’s track “After Parte.”
Now known as iMike, he has continued to pursue his passion for music, releasing new singles and collaborating with other artists. His dedication to his craft keeps him connected to his fans and the music industry.
Chidinma Ekile, winner (2010)
Chidinma Ekile gained prominence after winning the competition in 2010. She went on to have a successful music career and was also an ambassador for MTN. Chidinma was among the past winners of Project Fame MTN, which was endorsed to take the lead in the telecom sector in 2013. She was awarded the cash prize of N2.5 million for her project’s fame and success, a Toyota RAV 4 car and a record deal with Koko Nation.
As the first female winner, Chidinma enjoyed the spotlight that substantiated her career. Her music video for ‘Emi Ni Baller’ peaked at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart; she was the first female musician to achieve this feat.
She became a national favourite with her hit songs, ‘Kedike’ and ‘Jankoliko’, and won ‘Best Female West African Act’ at the 2012 KORA Awards.
However, she surprised her fans by switching to gospel music in 2021. She is now a Christian music artiste under EeZee Conceptz, with a debut Christian album, ‘New Season’. She released her third studio Christian album in March 2025, which features songs like ‘Ayo’, ‘Brand New’, ‘Testimony’, and ‘Jesus.’
Monica Ogah, winner (2011)
Monica Ogah’s success at Project Fame Season 4 earned her a cash prize of N2.5 million, a Toyota RAV 4 and a recording contract worth millions of Naira.
Subsequently, she released her debut album, ‘Sometime in August,’ in 2013, which increased her visibility in the industry. She was known for tracks like ’Body Hug’, but commercial success has been limited.
She is still involved in music and live shows. She was the singer and songwriter of the ‘New Season’ album, which features songs like ‘Abba’s Baby’, ’Over Again’, and ‘Owofu’. Moreover, Monica released ‘Awo’ in January 2025.
Ayoola Ayoola winner (2012)
Ayoola Ayolola, the winner of the fifth edition of the reality show in 2012, has shown his versatility by transitioning from music to acting. He is now popular for his roles in Skinny Girl in Transit, The Men’s Club, and If I Am President.
In a personality interview with Chude Jideonwo, Ayoola revealed he switched to acting and proved his abilities as a dynamic stage performer despite his music career’s difficulties. He is considered one of the most successful Project Fame alums in Nollywood. Since winning Season 5, Ayoola has successfully transitioned into acting, with notable roles in ’Skinny Girl in Transit’, ‘Bling Lagosians’, and ’Isoken’.
The actor continued his global rise, starring alongside Aml Ameen in the Haitian political thriller ‘Killing of a Nation’. According to his Instagram post, Ayoola also appeared in an episode of The Chosen, marking his latest screen appearance.
Olawale Ojo winner (2013)
After Olawale Ojo won the 6th edition of Project Fame in 2013, with an award of N5 million, a brand new car and a new recording deal, he honed his sound craft and released ‘Is Notin’ in 2014. However, the artist later made headlines when he was spotted working as a cab driver in 2020; he reportedly claimed to drive a cab to support his music career.
The singer-turned-driver released a new project, ‘Uncut,’ in 2021 to continue his musical journey. Despite facing challenges in maintaining his promising career, Olawale still makes music. His most recent music features were on Supaturbolocity’s ‘Tomorrowland’ and Xhaos’ ‘The Luckiest’, released in 2024 and 2023.
Geoffrey Oji, winner (2014)
Geoffrey Oji won the 7th edition of Project Fame after years of consistently auditioning for the show, with a cash prize of N5 million, a brand new SUV and a record deal.
The singer is known for his single ’Bursting My Brain’ and collaborations with Praiz and others. He is still active but has not cracked mainstream attention yet. In 2015, he released ‘Monalisa’; in 2019, he released ‘Sorry’, featuring Chidinma, a previous Project Fame winner.
In 2023, Geoffrey lamented that he needed money for his career purposes. He further claimed that most ex-winners of Project Fame struggled later in their careers because of a short-term contract that came with winning awards for the reality show.
His recent social media activities suggested he was well-versed in gospel live shows; he performed with Logic Sound Abuja, another gospel singer, on 24 May 2025, at ‘ The Drunkardand The Preacher’ in Lagos.
Jeff Akoh winner (2015)
Jeff Akoh clinched the title of Project Fame West Africa in 2015 at 18, making him the youngest winner in the show’s history. After winning, he pursued sound engineering studies at SAE Institute in Cape Town and signed with Temple Music. His debut album, ‘Lokoja’, was released in 2017, followed by the ‘I Do’ EP in 2018, with the title track produced by Don Jazzy and Password.
READ ALSO: Ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan graduates, bags doctorate degree
In recent years, Jeff has continued to evolve artistically. In April 2025, he released “‘Dreamer,’ a soulful collaboration with Ric Hassani that delves into themes of romantic longing. The following month, he unveiled a single, ‘Muna Gi,’ that explored the complexities of modern romance. These releases showcased his growth and versatility in the Nigerian music scene.
Okiemute Ighorodje winner (2016)
Okiemute Ighorodje emerged as the winner of the final season of Project Fame West Africa in 2016. Following her win, she released singles like ‘African Wonder’ and ‘Phenom,’ highlighting her African musical style. In 2018, she was honoured by the Friends of the Creator (Artistic) Foundation for her contributions to creativity and innovation.
Okiemute has remained active in the entertainmentt industry, primarily through her social media platforms. In June 2022, she performed at the Trendupp Awards, captivating the audience with her vocal prowess. On 25 October 2024, she announced the release of her single, ‘Le Le’ and video. In a Facebook post, Okiemute expressed her challenges as an independent artiste, highlighting her multiple roles in the music video’s success.
Okiemute sustained the interest of her fans beyond music; she hosts ‘The Banter Show’, a YouTube channel that discusses marriage and relationship topics. She constantly promotes her music and podcast through her Facebook account.
