Can an artist really make a name for themselves without releasing a studio album? This is one of the reasons why many up-and-coming artists try their best to produce one. It is, more or less, a portfolio and proof of what they can do.
But for already established music giants, the pressure is even higher. There is always the possibility of an album being a total flop or, better yet, a massive success.
Since 2020, Nigerian artists have been releasing albums back-to-back, ensuring fans always have something to listen to. With so many great albums released since then, how do we determine which has been the best? This compilation of the best Nigerian studio albums released since 2020 was curated based on chart-breaking streams, awards, and commendations from both fans and critics alike. 
Let’s get into it!
1. Wizkid – Made in Lagos (2020)
Often called the greatest Afrobeats album of all time by fans, ‘Made in Lagos’ saw Wizkid outdo himself. It featured global hits like “Essence” with Tems, which was later remixed with Justin Bieber. The album perfectly fused Lagos energy with an international style and spent over 164 weeks on the Billboard World Albums chart. In discussions on X (formerly Twitter), it is frequently hailed as “the best album… over the last five years.” Both the hits and the charts prove this to be true.
2. Burna Boy – Twice as Tall (2020)
It was in 2020 that top Nigerian artists brought in their A-game. ‘Twice as Tall’, by Afrobeats giant of Africa, is a Grammy-nominated album. Produced with Diddy, the album used Afrobeats and afro-fusion, as well as highlife, in order to create something so good. Songs like ‘Onyeka (Baby)’, ‘Way Too Big’, and ‘Wonderful’ are still being enjoyed by many. The album topped many 2020 lists.
3. Asake – Mr Money with the Vibe (2022)
This album is one of the highest-streamed albums of the decade. Just pure street party energy. Hits like ‘Sungba’ and ‘Peace Be Unto You’ defined this album. Fans will rank it top because of its vibe and replay value.
4. Omah Lay – Boy Alone (2022)
It’s already an established fact that whatever and anything Omah Lay drops is a total hit. He doesn’t release new songs often, which is likely why the times he does, they always bang. Even in 2026, after the release of his latest album, ‘Clarity of Mind’, ‘Boy Alone’ is still talked about. Just as usual, Omah Lay gave this album his best, and it’s as clear as daylight.
ALSO: Is Ghana Taking Over Afrobeats as Nigeria’s Afrobeats Sound Grows Stale?
5. Davido – Timeless (2023)
‘Timeless’ wasn’t just another album drop. This album is personal to Davido, and you can feel that in the songs. The streams were crazy. Songs like ‘Unavailable’ ‘Kante’ were everywhere, and people couldn’t stop talking about how good it is. Considering everything he had been through before releasing the album, a lot of people confirmed Timeless might just be his best work to date.
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