Cool FM Names Five Judges for Maiden Music Awards

Cool FM has unveiled a five-member judging panel for its Cool FM Music Awards, known as COMA.

The station announced the panel on Instagram in a carousel post titled “Meet the Judges.”

It comprises entertainment executive Bizzle, music journalist Joey Akan, DJ and on-air personality DJ Rabbit, creative director Emaxee, and music curator Nancy.

The panel will determine the final nominees.

The awards feature 17 categories and the Cool FM Icon Award.

COMA was launched on Oct. 30 to recognise performers and professionals contributing to Nigeria’s music industry.

Its four pillars are Music, Creative and Visuals, Fashion and Style, and Culture and Influence.

Cool FM Chief Executive Officer Serge Noujaim said the awards would celebrate “not just the stars, but the entire creative ecosystem behind their success.”

The organisers say there will be no entry forms or submission fees.

Instead, nominees will be identified through streaming performance, radio airplay, DJ rotation, social media engagement and editorial assessment.

The eligibility period covers works released between Dec. 1, 2025, and Oct. 31, 2026.

Winners will be selected through a weighted combination of judges’ scores, public digital voting and participation by Cool FM’s on-air audience.

Voting weights are expected to be published before voting begins.

Nominees are expected to be announced and voting to open in November, with winners due to be revealed digitally on Dec. 4.

COMA Project Chairman Joseph Adamu said the initiative seeks to bring together “industry expertise, measurable performance and the voice of the audience” in recognising excellence in music.