From left: BIGI Music Competition second runner-up, Ibrahim Yakubu Binkalim (Ibrahim Binkaly); winner, Olaniyi Oluwakemi Abisola (Abisola); and first runner-up, Moses Yakubu Ibrahim (Bhig Moe), display their cash prizes after the competition at the Soundcity OnTour activation at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Bhig Moe and Ibrahim Binkaly take first and second runner-up spots as Nigeria’s biggest campus music tour completes its 15th stop
ZARIA, Kaduna: The BIGI Music stage at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, delivered a memorable showcase of music and emerging talent as Olaniyi Oluwakemi Abisola, popularly known as Abisola, emerged winner of the BIGI Music Competition during the 15th stop of Soundcity OnTour.
Abisola impressed the audience and judges with her performance during the BIGI Music auditions held from August 18 to 20, earning the top spot in a competitive talent showcase featuring promising student artistes.
Moses Yakubu Ibrahim, known as Bhig Moe, finished as first runner-up, while Ibrahim Yakubu Binkalim, popularly known as Ibrahim Binkaly, secured the second runner-up position.
The three winners shared a ₦1 million cash prize, with Abisola taking home ₦500,000, Bhig Moe winning ₦350,000, and Ibrahim Binkaly receiving ₦150,000.
More than a competition, the BIGI Music auditions turned the ABU stop into a talent-discovery platform, allowing young artistes to perform before a live audience, compete for cash rewards and take another step towards wider recognition.
The ABU Zaria activation marked the 15th stop of the 20-campus Soundcity OnTour, sponsored by BIGI and Fearless Energy Drink and running across Nigerian universities from June to October 2026. The tour continues to bring together music, entertainment, campus culture and talent discovery in an experience designed to connect with young Nigerians.
The three-day ABU activation followed the tour’s established format, with campus engagement and build-up activities on Day One, BIGI Music auditions on Day Two and the main Soundcity OnTour concert on Day Three.
Through BIGI Music, aspiring student artistes are given a platform to move from campus stages towards wider opportunities in the music industry. Standout performers from the various university stops will have the opportunity to progress through regional battles, with the strongest acts advancing to the national stage.
The rewards also extend beyond the campus cash prizes.
The eventual two national winners will receive studio production, A&R mentorship led by Bankulli, Soundcity Radio exposure and professionally produced music videos, providing the selected artistes with professional support as they develop their careers.
The Zaria stop also delivered the full Soundcity OnTour concert experience, with performances from Falz, Magnito, Firstklaz, Hypeman Best and DJ Dewik, among other acts, giving the ABU community an evening of music and entertainment.
For Rite Foods Limited, makers of BIGI and Fearless Energy Drink, the nationwide tour provides an opportunity to connect with young Nigerians through music and campus culture while supporting platforms that give emerging artistes the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain visibility.
With 15 campuses now covered, Soundcity OnTour is set to continue its nationwide journey, with the next stop scheduled for Federal University of Agriculture, Ogun State, from September 29 to October 1, 2026.
As the tour moves to its next campus, the BIGI Music journey continues to give emerging artistes opportunities to move beyond university stages and towards the wider Nigerian music scene. For Abisola, Bhig Moe and Ibrahim Binkaly, the ABU Zaria experience could be the beginning of a bigger journey, while five more campuses await the Soundcity OnTour experience before the tour concludes in Abuja in October.
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