The Voice Nigeria gets an Idyl winner

The 22 year old Idyl (real name Daniel Diongoli) was member of the team led by singer Timi Dakolo who seemed surprised at the win. According to the show’s co-host IK Osakioduwa, more than 10 million votes were in the winner’s favour.

Diongoli, like last year's winner A’rese, is from south-south Nigeria, and has now received the blessings of his state. In a statement released after the announcement of his win, the government of Bayelsa thanked “the people of Bayelsa state particularly and Nigerians in general for voting for IDYL, and also the judges who were not political in taking the decision of announcing the winner.”

Before the finale, Diongoli spoke about his time on the show, saying, “My journey on the Voice Nigeria has been a remarkable one” and added that it “helped [him] grow as an artist.”

Diongoli came on the show after earning four spins by the judges during the blind auditions where he sang Bez’s ‘Zuciya Daya’. Dakolo had pushed the special button indicating interest, saying, “I don’t have time.” Waje, Yemi Alade and Patoranking followed. Other songs covered by the artist during the show include Lucky Dube’s ‘Prisoner’, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ and Michael Bolton’s ‘Soul Provider’. His final performance on the show was a version of John Legend’s ‘This Time’.

As winner of the second season of the popular show, the former engineering undergraduate will receive an SUV, a recording contract and a paid trip to Dubai. His predecessor A’rese released the single ‘Uwe No’ last year. Idyl’s debut single is expected soon. Watch his final performance below: