Music is a major ingredient in a typical Nigerian wedding. But as other songs rarely come up at wedding events no matter how good they seem, others have found a good space to be the most popular and are termed the best Nigerian wedding songs. This may be as a result of the songs’ lyrical and rhythmic prowess while brandishing wedding party lovers with sufficient vibes to have a good time, among other major reasons.
In Nigerian weddings, different songs are used at various stages of the ceremony. This includes those used as couples’ entrance songs, first dance songs, couple’s dance with parents, and cake cutting music, to mention a few. Tracing the best Nigerian wedding songs of all time goes as far back as one can remember. However, instead of concentrating on songs from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, we’ll discuss here the best wedding songs of all time from the 2000s to present time.
The Best Nigerian Wedding Songs That Have Stood The Test Of Time
20. Today Today
- Singer: eLDee
- Release Date: 2012
- Album: Undeniable
A catchy song and music video that spells wedding through and through. Today Today by eLDee from his 2012 album Undeniable allows the couple, family, and guests to sway and lyricize the togetherness of a happy wedding day. Due to its fame at wedding events, the song was dubbed the official wedding song of 2012 by many sources.
19. Duro
- Singer: Tekno
- Release Date: 2015
- Album: No album
Tekno remains one of the most acclaimed and richest musicians in Nigeria. His songs cut across different themes and Duro which is a love song made its way to become a regular at wedding parties in Nigeria. Although the song was released in 2015, it still finds its way to weddings in the 2020s as an entrance song.
Awards and Nominations Won by Duro
- Won the 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards for Best Pop Extra Video (2015)
- 3x nominations at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Single, Best Music Video of the Year, and Afropop Artist of the Year (2016).
18. Nobody
- Singer: DJ Neptune, Joeboy & Mr. Eazi
- Release Date: 2020
- Album: Greatness II
DJ Neptune is no visitor to creating songs that turn out to be great for wedding events. Among the many include Wait with Kizz Daniel. However, Nobody – a song that reminds a couple that no one is compared to their spouse remains at the top of his songs as far as weddings are concerned. Nobody is not only capped with great lyrics but its rhythm also makes it great for couples’ entrance or choreography.
Some Accolades of the Magic Sticks produced Nobody
- It became the first song to peak at number one of TurnTable End of the Year Top 50.
- It peaked at 18 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart (OCC).
- The Headies awards for Best Pop Single (2020)
17. On Top Your Matter
- Singer: Wizkid
- Release Date: 2014
- Album: Ayo
Wizkid in this 2014 song reminds his lover of how far he can go for her. In the same vein, the song serves as a reminder to couples at weddings in Nigeria and outside. Apart from this, the song also has a rhythm that lets couples and guests spit as much vibe as possible. As a result, On Top Your Matter even after almost a decade of its release can proudly boast of being played every now and then and making itself one of the best Nigerian wedding songs of all time.
Awards and Nominations of On Top Your Matter
- City People Entertainment Awards 2014: Most Popular Song of the Year (nomination)
Other Wizkid’s Songs That are Famous at Weddings
- Pakurumo (2011)
- Love My Baby (2011)
- Essence (2021)
16. Perfect Gentleman
- Singer: Sean Tizzle
- Release Date: 2014
- Album: The Journey
With the Perfect Gentleman, Sean Tizzle showcases how beautiful the wedding can also be about the groom. This Nigerian wedding song serves as a promise from a man as well as a reminder to a woman of who her man is. Of course, we don’t get to hear much of Tizzle but this song will remain in the heart of Nigerians as well as be in the memory of many couples for adding spice to weddings.
15. Count On You
- Singer: Johnny Drille
- Release Date: 2019
- Album: No album
When counting Nigerian wedding songs that may last for decades, Jonny Drille’s Count On You definitely comes up. Although this song does not make it to the list of popular couples entrance songs at weddings, it has at many times been used for first couples’ dance and at the cutting of cakes since its release in 2019.
Interestingly, it is also a song that has oftentimes been performed live by the artist at weddings. In addition, the video of the song features a couple (BamBam and Teddy A) – former housemates of BBNaija.
Other Wedding Songs by Johnny Drille
- Romeo & Juliet (2017)
- Halleluya Ft. Simi (2018)
- Bad Dancer (2021)
14. My Woman, My Everything
- Singer: Patoranking Ft. Wande Coal
- Release Date: 2014
- Album: God Over Everything
A little into Reggae this song made it a bit easier for the husbands to express their love on the wedding day. It is not the typical dance fit but has been notably used during the wedding ceremony for couple games, cutting of the cake, or when the groomsmen want to make their wedding vibe statement. Patoranking released this in 2014 featuring legendary artist Wande Coal. Could say Patoranking was on fire in 2014 as the next song Happy Day remains a major wedding flavor too.
Awards and Nominations:
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2016: Song of the Year (won)
- City People Music Award: Best collabo of the year (nomination)
- The Headies: Best Pop Single (nomination)
13. Iskaba
- Singer: Wande Coal Ft. DJ Tunez
- Release Date: 2016
- Album: N/A
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Iskaba is a major hit of Wande Coal and also a hit song of weddings in many parts of Africa. Its fame among parties of different sorts including weddings reaches a point where it can hardly be played and not be accompanied by people singing along and dancing to its tune.
Other Wande Coal Songs That Became Popular At Weddings
- Bumper2Bumper (2008)
- Baby Hello (2014)
12. Yes/No
- Singer: Banky W
- Release Date: 2012
- Album: R&BW
Yes/No is one of the greatest hits of Banky W. At the time of its release, it became an instant hit and made it to the number 1 spot on MTV Base Top 10 Najia Songs. Ever since its release, the song, which was produced by Cobhams Asuquo, skyrocketed to the dance floor of weddings and one of the most notable is the wedding of famous singer Peter Okoye A.K.A Mr. P.
Although Yes/No is one of Banky’s renowned songs that have graced weddings, the singer is no stranger to having love songs that are played at weddings including Heaven (Susu’s song) (2017) and Made For You (2016).
11. Oruka
- Singer: Sunny Neji
- Release Date: 2003
- Album: Unchained
This song has kept its energy and served as a foundation for how Nigerian weddings songs are today. Close to 2 decades later, this play of rhythm and skills is used for weddings across Nigeria and beyond. It is harmonious, its lyrics are inspired and it entertains. Taking from Pulse Nigeria, Sunny Neji’s Oruka is timeless. One sweet detail in Oruka is the farewell to begin their own life together for the couple.
At weddings, it is mostly played for the first dance of couples, while they feed each other, dance with parents, or at the closing of the ceremony.
10. Yori Yori
- Singer: Bracket
- Release Date: 2009
- Album: Least Expected
There used to be a time when Yori Yori was a national anthem in most gatherings in Nigeria, including weddings. Of course, its theme that surrounds love makes it easy to fall into place in celebration of love and its rhythm paves a way for dancing. Apart from being one of the most loved among Nigerian wedding songs, this song by Bracket was also one of the duo’s most popular songs of all time.
9. Olo Mi
- Singer: Tosin Martins
- Release Date: 2006
- Album: Happy Day
It has been well over a decade since the release of this song but it feels new at weddings. The song continues to make for the nuptial dance and set the general wedding reception tone. Even though the language of the song is centered on the Yoruba language of South Western Nigeria, its beauty and fame have made it an everyday song in the North which is highly populated by the Hausas, and the East which is home to the Igbos.
8. Golibe
- Singer: Flavour
- Release Date: 2014
- Album: Thankful
There is all the color and ambiance of a wedding and there is this song from Flavour that just visualizes a wedding. Golibe, which means rejoice or is used to describe a joyful fellow, best describes the joy of marrying the beauty one’s eyes behold. It was originally released in 2014 in the singer’s album titled “Thankful” and was used in the movie ISOKEN.
The beauty of this song is also found in the emotions that Flavour brings out through the song. It is partly for this that the song cannot be ignored among people who cut across different ethnic groups at an events like weddings even though the main language of the song is Igbo.
Other Songs of Flavour That Are Used at Weddings
- Virtuous woman (2017)
- Good woman (2020)
- Nnekata (2017)
- Chinny Baby (2012)
7. No One Like You
- Singer: P-Square
- Release Date: 2007
- Album: Game Over
Many are no strangers to the songs of P-Square and No One Like You is one song by the duo that has lived for years. This song at a point became one of the major songs on the list of DJs to play at weddings. This is mostly because its lyrics surround love and union, and its video also surrounds a wedding. Interestingly, its rhythm sets people on the dance floor even after more than a decade and the breakup of the duo.
6. Fall in Love
- Singer: D’Banj
- Release Date: 2008
- Album: The Entertainer
Fall in love by D’banj is a love-themed song that both its lyrical content, rhythm, and the story that surrounds the video made it famous at parties, including weddings. In the song, D’banj tells the tale of love at first sight on the wedding day. The song which was produced by Don Jazzy had 2 separate videos with the first featuring the 2010 finalists of Face of Africa as vixens. However, when it was met by criticism, another video was created a few months later with actress Genevieve Nnaji as a vixen. This led to rumors that the celebrities may be having an affair. This in turn added to the fame of the song and its video.
At weddings, many features of this song could not have been ignored by Disc Jockeys who began to have it on the replay. One of the most memorable times the song found its way to a wedding party is in 2013 when D’Banj and Don Jazzy even after splitting, came together to perform the song at Taiwo Oyebanjo, D’banj’s sister’s wedding with OAP Dotun Ojuolape.
Awards and Nominations Fall in Love Has Won
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Nominated for Best Male Music Video of the Year (2010)
- Channel O Music Video Awards: Won Most Gifted Afro Pop (2010)
- Headies: song of the year nomination (2009)
5. Ada Ada
- Singer: Flavour
- Release Date: 2012
- Album: Blessed
This Igbo vibe from talented singer and dancer Flavour has broken cultural barriers to be used at wedding ceremonies even outside the Igbo environment and wedding. It is especially a traditional wedding song telling how beautiful Ada is and how much love and care she’s worth. It comes from his 2012 album “Blessed” but has lasted years on the dance floor of weddings, mainly used as an entrance dance.
Awards and Nominations
- 2013 Nigeria Music Video Award (NMVA): Best Highlife Video
- Video of the Year (won)
- Best Indigenous Concept (won)
- Best Use of Costumes (won)
4. Assurance
- Singer: Davido
- Release Date: April 30, 2018
- Album: A Good Time
Added:
This Nigerian song is definitely not played only in Nigeria but in several other countries and at events that include weddings. The song is easily relatable because Davido dedicated it to his then-lover and now baby mama, Chioma. It is quite easy to forget that the song grows old with each passing day, especially because it has relatably held to its position as a song of all seasons, wedding parties, and many other events.
One of the greatest heights of Assurance is when it was performed by Davido at a wedding scene of the Coming to America 2 film of 2021.
Some Interesting Songs of Davido That Are Popular At Weddings
- Aye (2014)
- If (2019)
- Fall (2019)
- 1 Milli (2019)
3. Mama
- Singer: Kizz Daniel
- Release Date: 2016
- Album: New Era
When the song first came out in 2016 it was as though Kizz Daniel recorded the song mainly for the purpose of filling every room of a wedding. The singer reminds his woman of how he cherishes her, stands for her, how he won’t lie to her amidst other promises. At weddings, although it is a major song for couples to dance and use as an entrance song, it is also a song that further serves as a vow to a woman (bride). What is more about this song is its ability to last and still have the similar effect it has since its release. Little wonder YouTube is filled with dances to the song by couples and their friends and families.
Other Top Weddings Songs of All Time By Kizz Daniel
- 4Dayz (2018)
- Yeba (2017)
- Laye (2016)
- Woju (2016)
2. Iyawo Mi
- Singer: Timi Dakolo
- Release Date: 2014
- Album: N/A
This Yoruba-English song came timely just a few weeks to Valentine in 2014. It is such a deep poetic expression of love and to not just some babe but Iyawo mi which means “My wife”. The song proclaims friendship and spending eternity in love. This is central to marriage and playing it on a wedding day seems a reminder of the journey. Years have passed but the song has refused to age even at weddings.
Some Interesting Timi Dakolo Songs To Play at Weddings
- The Vow (2016)
- Love Song (2011)
- I Never Know Say (2018)
1. African Queen
- Singer: Tuface
- Release Date: 2004
- Album: Face 2 Face
One of TuFace’s greatest songs of all time, African Queen, is a great song at weddings not only in Nigeria but in Africa and beyond. The evergreen song received global fame upon its release in 2004 and became the first Nigerian song to feature in an American film, Phat Girlz, in 2006. The love song has a video that features the singer’s then-girlfriend and current wife, Annie Idibia.
In regards to its acceptance at weddings, African Queen plays mostly at the time of couples’ first dance or towards the time when they feed each other. At some weddings, it serves as a great song for a father-daughter dance.
Some Awards Won by African Queen
- Song of the Year at Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York (2004).
- A.M.E.N Awards for Song of the Year and Best Video of the Year (2004).
- Music of the Year at the Excellence Recognition Awards (2004).
- Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry Award for Excellence (2004).
5 Latest Nigerian Wedding Songs
1. Roju
- Singer: Chike
- Release Date: 2020
- Album: Boo of the Booless
Chike has delivered us spellbound with another highlife-pop wedding song. The title of the song Roju is the combination of the first two syllables from the names of the Shakespeare love story Romeo and Juliet. Roju is talking about absolute love that both are willing to sustain no matter what. It, however, is delicately delivered under the Igbo language and dancing melody of the song. For Chike, awards are secondary as he is enjoying his streams of acceptance while he has also made several live performances at weddings.
2. Obim
- Singer: Timi Dakolo Ft. Ebuka, Noble Igwe
- Release Date: 2019
- Album: N/A
Obim means my heart in Igbo. It has been put into a song by Timi Dakolo featuring a number of artists as a love song that has been sampled at weddings. The lyrics of the song send praises to a woman which has contributed to its fame among weddings.
3. Running to You
- Singer: Chike ft Simi
- Release Date: 2020
- Album: Boo of the Booless
Running To You by Chike featuring Simi brings together two dynamic Nigerian artists who have been able to capture in a Nigerian way the expression “you and I against the world”. It tells the story of two lovers ready to love and defend the other come what may. Simi adds a humorous twist of a lover who is not afraid because her man can stand for her. It was released in 2020 in the album “Boo of the Booless”
4. Lie
- Singer: Kizz Daniel
- Release Date: 2021
- Album: Spotlight
In many cases, lying is a major thing that breaks relationships. This song among Nigerian wedding songs, however, tells of how a lie should not come between him and his lover. As much as it has a beautiful rhythm that wins it a place at wedding parties, its lyrics serve as a reminder of staying true in marriage and relationships.
5. Peru
- Singer: Fireboy DML
- Release Date: 2021
- Album: N/A
Whether it is the initial released “Peru” by Fireboy or the remix with English singer Ed Sheeran, this song has a buzzing effect. It rarely ever plays without being accompanied by voices following to its lyrics or bodies dancing to its tunes. The song which is made in English and Yoruba describes how a woman captures not only her man’s body but his soul. Interestingly, the song also tells the part of the story where the woman also praises him with words such as ‘I never see a guy like you’. All these have contributed to making it a current Nigerian song to play at a wedding.
List of the Exceptional Nigerian Wedding Songs of All Time
- Today Today – eLDee
- Duro – Tekno
- Nobody – Dj Neptune, Joeboy & Mr. Eazi
- On Top Your Matter – Wizkid
- Perfect Gentleman – Sean Tizzle
- Count On You – Johnny Drille
- My Woman, My Everything – Patoranking Ft. Wande Coal
- Iskaba – Wande Coal Ft. DJ Tunez
- Yes/No – Banky W
- Oruka – Sunny Neji
- Yori Yori – Bracket
- Olo Mi – Tosin Martins
- Golibe – Flavour
- No one like you – P-Square
- Fall in Love – D’Banj
- Ada Ada – Flavour
- Assurance – Davido
- Mama – Kizz Daniel
- Iyawo Mi – Timi Dakolo
- African Queen – TuFace