Top 10 Best-Selling Nigerian Songs Of All Time

In recognition of top afrobeat singers, who are pushing the Nigerian music industry into the international limelight we’ve decided to compile the top 10 best-selling Nigerian songs of all time. It will be important to note that the list here is tailored based on digital online sales, streams, chart success, and certifications.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t find your favorite throwback songs as there was no record of the best singles across the country before the advent of digital streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, e.t.c.  So without any more chattering here are the top 10 best-selling Nigerian songs of all time.

1. Love Nwantiti – CKay

Love Nwantiti by CKay is the best-selling Nigerian song of all time and the most certified Nigerian song of all time. The song has sold over 2.560 million certified units in 15  different countries including the United States, Uk, and Canada. It charted in several countries including Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand, and topped the chart in India, Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, number one on the UK Indie Singles Chart, No. 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, and no 5  on the Canadian Hot 100.

2. Essence – Wizkid ft Tems

Essence by Wizkid and Tems is the second best-selling Nigerian song of all time,  The song was released on 9 April 2021, as the fourth single from Wizkid’s fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. It became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200.  The song with 2.495 million certified units worldwide has 3 gold certifications from 3 different countries and double-platinum certification in the United States  The song received numerous awards including a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance. It was also ranked as the number one best song of 2021 by American magazine Rolling Stone.

3. On The Low – Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s “On The Low” takes third place among the best-selling Nigerian songs of all time, with 1.113 Million certified Units, Worldwide. The song was released on November 16, 2018, as the second lead single for Burna Boy’s fourth studio album, African Giant. It charted on the French singles chart, where it peaked at 78, and won Burna Boy, the Viewers’ Choice award at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. It is presently one of the most streamed Nigerian Songs on Spotify, with a Silver certification in Uk, Gold in the US, Platinum in Canada, and Diamond in France.

4. Ye – Burna Boy

Ye by Burna Boy is the Fourth best-selling Nigerian song of all time, the song was released on  August 6, 2018, as the sixth single from his third studio album Outside  The song has gathered over 100 million streams on Spotify and Youtube Since it was released. It peaked at number 26 and 31 on Billboard‘s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The song has sold 1.40 Million certified units and has received 4 gold certifications in four different countries including the United States and Canada.

5. Peru – Fireboy ft Ed Sheeran

Fireboy’s reworked version of Peru featuring Ed Sheeran joins the list of the best-selling Nigerian songs of all time, with  1.100 Million certified units worldwide. The song was released on 24 December 2021 as the second lead single of Fireboy’s third studio album, Playboy. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. It also charted in numerous countries including the Canada hot 100, where it peaked no 37, and the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at no 53. Peru earned a Platinum certification in the United Kingdom and Gold in the United States for total sales of 600 and 500k respectively.

6. Come closer – Wizkid ft Drake

Wizkid makes the list again with “Come Closer” a 2017 song with Drake, The song was released as the third single from Wizkid’s third studio album, Sounds from the Other Side. In September 2020, Wizkid became the first African artist to be certified Gold (both) as a featured and lead artist in the United States, as Come Closer sold 500,000 units. The song peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart and number 54 on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming Wizkid’s first charting single as a lead artist.  Come closer has sold  1.15 million certified units worldwide and has received Gold certifications in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

7. Your Number – Ayo Jay

Ayo Jay’s Your Number is also one of the best-selling Nigerian songs of all time, with over 700,000 Certified units, worldwide. The song was first released on June 21, 2013, and was produced by British record producer Melvitto. It is reportedly the first ever Nigerian song to sit on any Billboard chart without any features. It was re-released on November 11, 2015, charting on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop (Billboard)and the  R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard) where it peaked 40. Your Number is certified silver in the United Kingdom and Gold in the United States, based on Sales and streaming figures.

8. If – Davido

Davido joins the list with his 2017 hit song “If”, which was released on the 17th of  February 2017 as the first single from the second studio album A Good Time (2019). It won Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies 2018. “The song was certified diamond by the Recording Industry of South Africa, for selling over 200,000 units in the country, It was also certified Gold in the United States for selling over 500,000 units, making a total of 700,000 certified units worldwide.

9. Fall – Davido

David makes the list again with another 2017 hit single “Fall”, another song from his second single from his second studio album A Good Time (2019).  The song which was one of the top-100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019. It also charted on several Billboard charts, including the US Afrobeats Songs, US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay US Hot R&B Songs, and  US World Digital Song Sales, where it peaked at no 3. It was the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history, before Wizkid’s “Essence” The song has so far sold over 540,000 units worldwide and has been certified gold in the United States & Canada.

10. Do Like that – Korede Bello

The Mavin Recording artist, Korede Bello surprisingly makes the list with his 2016 hit single “Do like that” The song with many views on Youtube was recently certified gold in the United States of America by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies. Making it the 10th best-selling Nigerian song of all time.

Summary

Here is a recap of the top 10 best-selling Nigerian songs of all time, tailored based on streams, chart success, and certifications.

1. Love Nwantiti – CKay
2. Essence – Wizkid ft Tems
3. On The Low – Burna
4. Ye – Burna Boy
5. Peru – Fireboy ft Ed Sheeran
6. Come closer – Wizkid ft Drake
7. Your Number – Ayo Jay
8. If – Davido 700,000
9. Fall – Davido 540,000
10. Do Like that – Korede Bello