Chima Udoye, known for his onstage charisma and vocal prowess, has been crowned the winner of the ninth season of Nigerian Idol. The finale, held on Sunday, July 14, 2024, marked the end of months of intense competition among some of Nigeria’s best performers and vocalists.
The live finale kicked off with the top 10 contestants delivering a powerful performance of John Legend’s ‘Glory.’ The night continued with performances from previous Nigerian Idol winners, including Progress, the Season 7 winner, and Victory Gbakara, the Season 8 winner, who performed an original song he wrote before his finale.
Guest performers like Chike and Simi also graced the stage, adding to the evening’s excitement. The highlight, however, was the performance by the top three finalists, leading up to Chima’s big win.
Throughout the season, Chima wowed judges 9ice, Omawumi, and Ric Hassani with his vocal dexterity and charismatic stage presence. Omawumi noted during the finale that Chima seemed to be in a competition with himself, a testament to his exceptional talent and growth throughout the show.
Specializing in jazz and soul music, Chima expressed at the beginning of the season his desire to use the Nigerian Idol platform not only to showcase his vocal abilities but also to inspire others. Twelve weeks later, his dream became a reality as he was crowned the winner.
During the finale, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content & Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, praised Chima’s resilience and talent, highlighting the dedication it took for him to reach this point.
Chima’s victory comes with a grand prize of ₦30 million, a brand new SUV, a DStv Explora, and a one-year premium subscription. The prize package also includes a music deal and the production of a music video, setting Chima up for a promising future in the music industry.