She explained why she decided to take a break from social media

She advises people to be intentional about social media.

Says social media should be driven by purpose, not pressure.

Speaking on her new YouTube channel, Bare by Bko, Tiwi explained how stepping away from social media helped her rediscover herself and prepare for the life she now lives.

The channel, according to her, is focused on unpacking identity, relationships, motherhood and womanhood.

Explaining why she initially disappeared from social media, she said, “So the big response for why I was not on social media was that I had no idea who I was and what I was meant to be contributing for other people and therefore, I didn’t feel like being online and using my influence in a lukewarm way was enough to justify spending so much time on an app. I also didn’t know at the time that God was cleaning out my digital footprint because of the person I was going to marry. I had no idea I was going to marry this superstar that had such a strong public image with limited controversy, if anything at all, and the kind of wife that was needed to show up in that space was not one that was all over the place, unclear and attention seeking. I met my husband and understood the reason why there was a need to be off for a restart.”

Nigerian afro-house singer, Niniola Apata, has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika.

The Grammy-nominated artiste shared the heartbreaking news in a series of emotional posts on her Instagram account early Wednesday.

Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focused on afro-house and contemporary African music.

In one of the posts, Niniola wrote, “God took him.” In another, she added, “My husband died.”

In a third post, the singer expressed her grief, writing, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.”

The circumstances surrounding Ndika’s death were not immediately disclosed. Niniola has largely kept her private life away from the public eye and social media.

Niniola, 39, rose to prominence after emerging as the runner-up on the 2013 edition of Project Fame West Africa.

She gained international recognition with her 2017 hit single Maradona, which earned praise from global stars including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland and Beyoncé.

Nigerian music stars Wizkid, Asake, Burna Boy, and Tems have earned major nominations for the 2026 BET Awards.

The nominations were announced on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony, set for Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Wizkid and Asake bagged a joint nomination in the Best Group category following their collaborative project and run of hit releases.

Tems emerged as one of Africa’s most nominated artists with three nods: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for “First,” and Viewers’ Choice for “Raindance,” her collaboration with Dave.

Burna Boy was also nominated in the Best Collaboration category for “WGFT,” his feature on Gunna’s track.

Nigerian artists have a strong track record at the BET Awards. Wizkid remains one of Africa’s most decorated winners, while Burna Boy has consistently claimed international categories.

Past honorees include Davido, Tems, 2Baba, D’banj, Ice Prince, and Ayra Starr, who won Best International Act in 2025.

Nigerian talent also showed up in acting categories as Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo got nominated for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a Best Actor nod.

Here’s the complete list of nominees for the 2026 BET Awards.

Album of the Year

AM I THE DRAMA? — Cardi B

DON’T TAP THE GLASS — Tyler, the Creator

Everything is a lot. — Wale

HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY — Mariah the Scientist

Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse

MUTT Deluxe: HEEL — Leon Thomas

The Fall-Off — J. Cole

The Romantic — Bruno Mars

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Ari Lennox

Coco Jones

Ella Mai

Jill Scott

Kehlani

Mariah the Scientist

Olivia Dean

SZA

Tems

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Brent Faiyaz

Bruno Mars

Bryson Tiller

Chris Brown

Durand Bernarr

GIVĒON

Leon Thomas

October London

Usher

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B

Coi Leray

Doechii

Doja Cat

GloRilla

Latto

Megan Thee Stallion

Monaleo

YK Niece

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

A$AP Rocky

Baby Keem

BigXthaPlug

DaBaby

Don Toliver

Drake

J. Cole

Kendrick Lamar

T.I.

Best Group

41

Clipse

De La Soul

FLO

French Montana & Max B

Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz

Nas & DJ Premier

Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon

Wizkid & Asake

Best Collaboration

“Chains & Whips” — Clipse & Kendrick Lamar

“Errtime Remix” — Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto

“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat

“Good Flirts” — Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd

“Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis

“It Depends (The Remix)” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher

“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz

“wgft” — Gunna feat. Burna Boy

Best New Artist

Belly Gang Kushington

DESTIN CONRAD

JayDon

kwn

Miles Minnick

Monaleo

Olivia Dean

RAYE

Trap Dickey

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

“Able” — Kirk Franklin

“ABLE (REMIX)” — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell

“All to Thee” — BeBe Winans

“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard

“At the Cross” — CeCe Winans

“Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend

“Do It Again” — Kirk Franklin

“Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.

BET Her

“Already Good (Tasha Slide)” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard

“Be Great” — Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty

“Beautiful People” — Jill Scott

“First” — Tems

“girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA

“Go Girl” — Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat

“Gorgeous” — Doja Cat

“Lady Lady” — Olivia Dean

Viewers’ Choice

“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist

“Chains & Whips” — Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar

“Chanel” — Tyla

“Folded” — Kehlani

“I Just Might” — Bruno Mars

“It Depends” — Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller

“Man I Need” — Olivia Dean

“Outside” — Cardi B

“Raindance” — Dave & Tems

“Take Me Thru Dere” — Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz

Video of the Year

“100” — Ella Mai

“Anxiety” — Doechii

“Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist

“Chanel” — Tyla

“Escape Room (Short Film)” — Teyana Taylor

“Folded” — Kehlani

“LET ‘EM KNOW” — T.I.

“luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Video Director of the Year

A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit

Anderson .Paak

Benny Boom

Cactus Jack

Cardi B & Patientce Foster

Cole Bennett

Director X

Hype Williams

Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor

The Fashion Vanguard Award (New)

A$AP Rocky

Bad Bunny

Beyoncé

Cardi B

Colman Domingo

Doechii

Rihanna

Teyana Taylor

Zendaya

The Pulse Award (New)

85 South Show

Baby, This Is Keke Palmer

Charlamagne Tha God

Don Lemon

Druski

It Is What It Is

Joe and Jada

On the Radar

R&B Money Podcast

Best Movie

Highest 2 Lowest

Him

Number One on the Call Sheet

One Battle After Another

Relationship Goals

Ruth & Boaz

Sinners

Wicked: For Good

Best Actress

Angela Bassett

Ayo Edebiri

Chase Infiniti

Coco Jones

Cynthia Erivo

Keke Palmer

Quinta Brunson

Regina Hall

Teyana Taylor

Best Actor

Aaron Pierre

Aldis Hodge

Anthony Mackie

Colman Domingo

Damson Idris

Delroy Lindo

Denzel Washington

Michael B. Jordan

Sterling K. Brown

YoungStars Award

Daria Johns

Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth

Heiress Harris

Jazzy’s World TV

Lela Hoffmeister

North West

Thaddeus J. Mixson

VanVan

Sportswoman of the Year Award

A’ja Wilson — Basketball

Angel Reese — Basketball

Claressa Shields — Boxing

Coco Gauff — Tennis

Flau’jae Johnson — Basketball

Gabby Thomas — Track & Field

Jordan Chiles — Gymnastics

Naomi Osaka — Tennis

Sha’Carri Richardson — Track & Field

Sportsman of the Year Award

Aaron Judge — Baseball

Anthony Edwards — Basketball

Caleb Williams — Football

Jalen Brunson — Basketball

Jalen Hurts — Football

LeBron James — Basketball

Shedeur Sanders — Football

Stephen Curry — Basketball