Gimba is having a strong year.
The Nigerian singer-songwriter, born Al-Hassan Gimba Chukwubuikem, recently took his music to university campuses across Nigeria as part of Soundcity On Tour 2026, performing alongside some of the country’s exciting young acts and connecting with new audiences along the way.
For Gimba, the tour was more than a series of performances. It was a chance to take his music beyond streaming platforms and experience what it means to perform for young audiences in different parts of the country.
One of the standout moments came at the University of Ibadan, where Gimba performed his song “247” live for the first time. He also performed at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Federal College of Education, Akoka.
The run of performances comes at a time when Gimba is steadily building his name and expanding his audience.
From Lagos to the Soundcity Stage
Originally from Northern Nigeria and raised in Lagos, Gimba has developed a sound shaped by Afrobeats, Soul, R&B and Pop, while carving out an identity of his own.
His music gained wider attention following his appearance on DJ Tunez’s “Blessings” featuring Wizkid, bringing his sound to an even bigger audience. Since then, he has continued to grow his catalogue and establish himself as an artist worth paying attention to.
A graduate of The Sarz Academy, Gimba has also had his music recognised by some of the biggest names in African music, including Wizkid, Olamide and Wande Coal.
His 2024 debut EP, Amince Da Tsari (“Trust the Process”) where he features Olamide on the hit, Tingrado, He followed it with his second EP, she, a five-track project which further shows the range and personality behind his music.
A New Audience, A Bigger Stage
The Soundcity On Tour run gave Gimba an opportunity to meet his audience in a more direct way. University campuses remain an important part of Nigeria’s music culture, often serving as spaces where new sounds and artists find some of their earliest listeners.
Performing across campuses in Ibadan, Calabar and Lagos allowed Gimba to bring his songs to people who may have discovered him online but had never seen him perform live.
Each performance gave him another opportunity to test his songs in front of a crowd, build new connections and grow his presence beyond the digital space.