About Niniola Apata Founder, Adopt A Child's Education

My Biography

Niniola Apata - Founder, Adopt A Child's Education - Photographed by Edesiri Ukiri

NINIOLA APATA aka NINIOLA is a singer, songwriter and performer who hails from EKITI STATE. She was born on the 15th of December. Born into a family that had nothing but Love and support for each other.

She went on to attend Apata Memorial School after which she went and bagged her Bachelor of Education from the University of Lagos.

Niniola fell in love with music right from when she was a kid. In high school, she had a sort of request show during her free time where her friends will make requests and she will sing to her classmates. This was possible because of her large repertoire of songs and clear vocals… She was tagged “the human radio“.

She later joined the school’s cultural group and participated in social activities. Although she’s immersed herself in music and enjoyed accolades from friends and family, she wanted the world to hear her voice. Thus going for a couple of competitions thereby harnessing her singing skills.

Niniola was the 3rd Runner-Up in the MTN PROJECT FAME Competition Season 6 (2013), where she performed with the likes of KCEE and also performed her personal composition “ITURA” which was produced by COBHAMS ASUQUO…A song that was loved by everyone who heard it.

Niniola with a vocal range that can crack glass, takes her influences from the likes of Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Celine DionThe Cranberries, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Yoruba (African) music, and uses them to shape her own style. In her words, “I naturally gravitate to a sound that’s filled with warmth and timelessness.”

Her first Official Single “Ibadi” which was produced by Sarz, is of a new genre which she created for herself and called it “AFRO-HOUSE” – a blend of Afrobeat and House music. The single went on to become a massive hit in Nigeria and around the continent.

Niniola Apata - Founder, Adopt A Child's Education - Photographed by Edesiri Ukiri

She would not stop there; she went on to put out songs like “Gbowode”, “Akara Oyibo”, “Soke”, “Shaba”, “J’ete”, “Start All Over”, “Jigi Jigi” & the current global hit and new wave singles “Maradona” & “Sicker”.

All Niniola’s songs have topped various charts globally with Maradona currently leading the trend. She has also made appearances on several songs which have made waves too.

Niniola has also worked with EDDY KENZO from Uganda. The BET AWARD Winner featured her on the remix of his hit single “Mbilo Mbilo”. Her contribution won them the award for Best Collaboration at the 2016 AFRIMA Awards.

Niniola has graced many stages since releasing her debut single and is preparing to grace more in the coming years.

On the 1st of November 2017, Niniola released her most anticipated debut album titled “This Is Me“. The release and subsequent overwhelming reception of Niniola’s “This Is Me” propelled her to both an Artist Spotlight feature and to become Apple Music’s New Artist of The Month.

Both Maradona and Sicker have topped several charts and are receiving massive airplay.

Along with Bana, SaroOyinMagun and Magun Remix, their music videos have a current combined 13.7 million views on Youtube alone. With currently over 2 million streams on Spotify and over 5.6 million views on YouTube, Maradona reached No. 1 on the biggest charts in Africa including Metro FM SA, MTV Base South, YFM and Beat FM 99.9 Nigeria, becoming the most played song on Radio in South Africa according to RadioMonitor SA.

In February 2018, Niniola arrived in South Africa for her much-anticipated media tour. She was back in South Africa in March as she was booked to perform at the prestigious SA Music Carnival.

In April 2018, “This Is Me” was nominated for the Best African Artist Album at the South African Music Awards 2018.

In July 2018, internationally renowned DJ Snake teamed up with Niniola for a hit single titled “Maradona Riddim” based heavily on her 2017 hit song “Maradona”.

On 7th August 2018, Niniola became the first female Nigerian artist to cross 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

On Friday the 9th of November 2018, Niniola headlined her first ever concert “The Human Radio“. The very successful concert was held at the Landmark Event Center in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Niniola Apata - Founder, Adopt A Child's Education - Photographed by Edesiri Ukiri

Notable Nominations

NEA AWARDS 2015 (MOST PROMISING ACT TO WATCH)

AFRIMA AWARDS 2016 (BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN WEST AFRICA)

SOUNDCITY MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2016 (BEST COLLABORATION Mbilo Mbilo Remix)

NEA AWARDS 2017 (BEST AFROPOP FEMALE ARTISTE)

SOUNDCITY MVP AWARDS 2018 (LISTENERS CHOICE – Maradona)

GLAZIA PERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2018 (PERSON OF THE YEAR)

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS 2018 (BEST AFRICAN ARTIST ALBUM – “This Is Me“)

BET AWARDS 2018 (VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT)

IARA AWARDS 2018 (BEST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ARTIST)

Notable Awards

GREEN AWARDS 2015 (MOST PROMISING FEMALE ARTISTE)

I.R.P.M CLASS OF ’15 UNILAG (NEXT RATED FEMALE ARTISTE)

SURULERE ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS 2015 (BEST FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR)

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS 2015 

AFRIMA AWARDS 2016 (Best African Collaboration (Mbilo Mbilo remix))

NIGERIAN TEENS CHOICE AWARDS 2017 (CHOICE FEMALE VOCALIST 2017)

GLAZIA PERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2018 (PERSON OF THE YEAR)

MAYA AWARDS 2018 (YOUTH ARTISTE OF THE YEAR)

GHANA NAIJA SHOWBIZ AWARDS 2018 (BEST FEMALE ACT)

For a full list of Niniola’s awards and nominations  Click Here