Celebrate Excellence
Twenty-five categories honouring the people and institutions whose work defined the year — from broadcasters and creators to schools, banks and builders.
Innovators of the South South
The SSMEA Story
The South South Media & Entertainment Awards exists to shine a spotlight on the innovators of Nigeria's South South — the storytellers, institutions and changemakers of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
The South South is where Nigeria’s stories are told with the most colour — on radio and television, on stage and screen, in classrooms and boardrooms. Yet for too long its brightest voices have gone uncelebrated on a stage of their own. The South South Media & Entertainment Awards was created by Oga Sammy Media Productions to change that.
2026 is our pilot year: twenty-five categories, an independent nomination process, verified public voting and a ceremonial night of gold in Port Harcourt. Every trophy handed out on 20 December will carry the golden star of the South South — a symbol of the excellence this region exports to the world.
This is more than an award show. It is a platform for the region’s media and entertainment economy — connecting talent with sponsors, institutions with audiences, and the South South with its own reflection.
What We Stand For
Three Pillars
Powered by the Public
SSMEA winners are chosen with the people. Verified public voting puts the region's voice at the centre of every award.
One Night of Gold
A ceremonial evening at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt — red carpet, live performances, and the golden star trophies presented on stage.
Coming 2027
The Academy
2026 is the pilot. In 2027, SSMEA launches the full Academy — a standing body of distinguished journalists, producers, academics and industry leaders from across the six South South states. The Academy will govern nominations, set category criteria, and pair its jury verdict with the public vote — building the region’s most credible honours system, year after year.