Priscilla Ojo Defends Juma Jux: “Stop Hating” Over AFRIMA Win

The 2026 awards season has kicked off with a familiar blend of celebration and controversy for celebrity power couple Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux. Following the Tanzanian R&B star’s triumph at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) on Sunday, January 11, the couple has been forced to push back against social media critics who allege that their success is more financial than musical.

Juma Jux emerged as the Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa during the star-studded ceremony at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The “Ololufe Mi” singer beat out stiff competition from regional heavyweights like Diamond Platnumz and Kenya’s Bien. His victory, punctuated by a vibrant stage performance alongside Qing Madi, was meant to be a crowning moment for his growing influence in the West African market.

However, the celebratory mood on Priscilla Ojo’s Snapchat was briefly interrupted by a “troll” who suggested the award was bought. Sharing a photo of her husband’s new silverware, the Nigerian fashion influencer was met with the blunt comment: “Award wey una buy o.” Priscilla, who has become increasingly adept at handling digital vitriol since her marriage to Jux in 2025, didn’t hesitate to clap back, telling the critic to “stop hating” and move into the new year with a better attitude.

This exchange is merely the latest chapter in a long-standing narrative that has followed the couple since their union. When Juma Jux won Best East African Artiste at the 17th Headies Awards in April 2025, similar whispers circulated on X (formerly Twitter). At that time, critics suggested that Jux’s marriage to the daughter of Nollywood icon Iyabo Ojo was a “strategic masterstroke” designed to secure Nigerian awards and recognition.

Priscilla has consistently maintained that her husband’s accolades are the result of over a decade of hard work in the East African music industry. She previously described him as a “smart, calculative, and hardworking man,” sarcastically leaning into the “strategic marriage” narrative to mock those who refuse to acknowledge his talent. Her mother, Iyabo Ojo, has also been a vocal supporter, publicly celebrating her “son-in-law” and attending the 2026 AFRIMA ceremony to witness his win firsthand.

The 2026 AFRIMA results saw a strong showing for East Africa, with Jux not only winning his regional category but also being nominated for Artiste of the Year, alongside continental giants like Rema and Burna Boy. Supporters of the singer argue that his cross-border collaborations and the massive success of his 2025 projects justify the recognition. They point to the “Ololufe Mi” music video, which won Best African Video of the Year later that same night, as proof of his creative consistency.

As the couple continues to navigate their high-profile life between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, Priscilla’s message remains clear: the “game is the game,” but the talent is real. By dismissing the “pay-to-win” allegations with a simple call for positivity, she seems determined to ensure that the noise of the critics does not drown out the music of her husband’s success.