Mavo Biography: Age, Real Name, Billboard Rookie Honours, Wizkid & Davido Collabs, and Full Story

Mavo was in the middle of a university degree when the music took off. He had released his first track on his twentieth birthday, in 2023, followed by a series of mixtapes. Then in 2025 a single called “Escaladizzy” gained traction on social media, and by the end of the year he had a Wizkid collaboration, a Davido remix and, from October 2025, a number-one song on Nigeria’s Top 100.

He is Oseremen Marvin Ukanigbe, born on November 1, 2003, in Ekpoma, Edo State, and he is 22 years old. In November 2025, Billboard named him its African Rookie of the Month. In 2026 he released his fifth mixtape, Business, which debuted at number three on the TurnTable Top 100 albums chart and became his highest-charting project, and by September he had tied Asake’s record for the most number-one songs of the year on Apple Music Nigeria.

This is his full biography, including the places where sources disagree.

Mavo Biography Facts at a Glance

Early Life and Education

Mavo was born in Ekpoma, Edo State, but moved to Warri in Delta State as a child, according to Wikipedia. He returned to Edo to attend secondary school as a boarder at Lumen Christi International High School in Uromi. There he joined the school’s music club and picked up the nickname “Mavo.” Students in the club met every Friday to perform their music, and Wikipedia says he drew positive reactions from his peers.

His university studies are reported inconsistently. Wikipedia, citing Billboard, says that as of 2026 he is in his final year studying optometry at Afe Babalola University. NotJustOk says his journey into music began while he was studying medicine in Ekpoma. Wikipedia also says he met fellow singer Kobilou at university. The sources reviewed do not explain the difference.

Starting Out: Ukanigbe and the First Mixtapes (2023 to 2024)

Mavo began his music career in 2023. He released his first track, “Ukanigbe,” on his twentieth birthday, November 1, 2023, and on December 1, 2023 he released his debut mixtape of the same name. It included the sleeper hit “Tumo Weto,” which reached number one on Apple Music Nigeria in January 2026, more than two years after the mixtape’s release, and peaked at number 13 on the TurnTable Top 100 Songs chart. The mixtape itself peaked at number eight on the TurnTable Top 100 Albums chart after his later rise.

On April 1, 2024, he released the mixtape Sanko (She Always Needs Kilogbede One), with a deluxe edition on July 1. On August 9, 2024 he released the joint EP Kobilou Kilobizzy with Kobilou. On April 1, 2025 he followed with his third solo mixtape, Kilometer.

2025: “Escaladizzy” and the Breakthrough

The breakthrough came on June 6, 2025, when Mavo released “Escaladizzy” with Wave$tar. The song gained traction on social media, and a remix followed on July 22 featuring Shallipopi, Zlatan and Ayra Starr. On September 5, 2025 he released “Shakabulizzy,” which received a remix featuring Davido the following month; The Nollywood Reporter published the remix video on December 5, 2025. He also featured on “Money Constant” with Wizkid, one of the songs that Billboard’s profile of him highlighted.

His fourth mixtape, Kilometer II, was released on September 26, 2025 and peaked at number four on the TurnTable Top 100. On October 23, 2025, he released “Body (Danz)” with CKay, which reached number one on the TurnTable Top 100 and became his first chart-topper. TurnTable reported in January 2026 that it was logging a sixth week at number one, the same week that Shoday and FOLA’s “Paparazzi” debuted at number three. He also appears with Shoday and TxC on “Welele,” which Shoday’s biography dates to November 2025.

Billboard African Rookie of the Month (November 2025)

In November 2025, Billboard named Mavo its African Rookie of the Month. The magazine’s profile, headlined “From Meat Pies in the Club to ‘Money Constant,'” described him as set on becoming a “mainstream international artist,” and NotJustOk covered the recognition as one that places him among the continent’s most exciting new acts. In the same coverage he was quoted saying that his music is his real story, and that when people connect with it they are connecting with who he is.

Wikipedia describes him as known for his unique use of slang, which it calls “Bizzylingua,” and says he describes his music, a mix of Afrobeats and rap, as “Burbur” or “burti” music. NATIVE’s October 2025 feature on him is titled “Mavo’s Universe.”

2026: Chart Runs and the Business Mixtape

He started 2026 with a stream of singles: “Use Me” on Valentine’s Day, “Aura Salad” with SSSoundgawd on February 20 (peak number nine on the Top 100), and “Mofe” on March 6. On February 27 he appeared on Kidd Carder’s “Big Bum Bum,” which peaked at number two. In July, “BB Lifestyle,” with the Kilogbede Records signee SSSoundgawd, debuted at number 15.

On July 24, 2026 he released his fifth mixtape, Business, which debuted at number three on the TurnTable Top 100 albums chart, his highest-charting project. Three songs from it debuted on the singles chart: “Ice Cream” at number 17, “Superwoman” at 42 and “Business” at 51.

On September 4, 2026, “Find My Babe” peaked at number one on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Songs chart. It was his sixth number one on that chart in 2026, following “BB Lifestyle,” “Big Bum Bum,” “Mofe,” “Tumo Weto” and “Money Constant,” and it tied Asake‘s record for the most number ones that year. He appeared on DJHarvey’s “Sista Bozza” on September 18, released “Shenk Me” with DJ 808 on October 16, and released “Goyard” on October 23, 2026.

Chart Record at a Glance

The positions below come from Wikipedia’s account of the TurnTable Top 100 charts and the Apple Music Nigeria Top Songs chart, and they are listed as peaks or debuts as reported.

Mavo’s Net Worth in 2026

There is no verified figure for Mavo’s net worth, and none of the reliable sources reviewed gives one, so this article does not publish one.

Discography Highlights

Career Timeline

What Sources Disagree On

• Birth date. Wikipedia and a biography site give November 1, 2003. Famous Birthdays gives May 1, 2000. This article uses 2003.
• Name order. Wikipedia writes Oseremen Marvin Ukanigbe; Famous Birthdays and a biography site write Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe.
• University. Wikipedia (citing Billboard) says optometry at Afe Babalola University; NotJustOk says he was studying medicine in Ekpoma.
• Davido remix timing. Wikipedia places the “Shakabulizzy” remix in October 2025, while The Nollywood Reporter published the remix video in December 2025.
• State of origin. No reliable source reviewed states it. He was born in Edo State and spent part of his childhood in Delta State.
• Net worth. No reliable figure exists.

What Is Not Yet Known

• His state of origin. The sources reviewed do not state it.
• Which university course he is taking. Wikipedia and NotJustOk differ, as explained above.
• The release date of “Money Constant.” The sources reviewed mention the song, including in Billboard’s headline, but do not date it.
• His income. No reliable source reports an amount.

Why Mavo Matters

Mavo’s documented path runs from a school music club to a number-one song, a Billboard rookie feature and a tie for the most Apple Music Nigeria number ones of 2026, while he was still a university student. Wikipedia notes his use of slang, which it calls “Bizzylingua,” and his collaborators include Wizkid, Davido, CKay and Shallipopi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mavo

What is Mavo’s real name?

His real name is Oseremen Marvin Ukanigbe, according to Wikipedia. Some sites write it as Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe.

How old is Mavo?

Mavo is 22 years old as of October 2026. Wikipedia gives his birth date as November 1, 2003, so he turns 23 on November 1. One site gives May 1, 2000.

Where is Mavo from?

He was born in Ekpoma, Edo State and spent part of his childhood in Warri, Delta State. He attended secondary school in Uromi, Edo State.

What is Mavo’s biggest song?

His first number one was “Body (Danz)” with CKay, released on October 23, 2025, which reached number one on the TurnTable Top 100. His sleeper hit “Tumo Weto” reached number one on Apple Music Nigeria in January 2026.

Did Mavo work with Wizkid and Davido?

Yes. He is credited on “Money Constant” with Wizkid, and his single “Shakabulizzy” received a remix featuring Davido.

What is the Billboard African Rookie of the Month?

It is a monthly recognition from Billboard for new African artists. Mavo received it in November 2025, according to Billboard, NotJustOk and Wikipedia.

What is Mavo’s latest project?

His fifth mixtape, Business, was released on July 24, 2026 and debuted at number three on the TurnTable Top 100 albums chart. His recent singles include “Find My Babe” (September 4), “Shenk Me” (October 16) and “Goyard” (October 23, 2026).

What does Mavo study?

Wikipedia, citing Billboard, says he is in his final year of optometry at Afe Babalola University as of 2026. NotJustOk says he was studying medicine in Ekpoma, so the sources differ.

What is Bizzylingua?

It is the name Wikipedia gives to Mavo’s distinctive slang. He also describes his blend of Afrobeats and rap as “Burbur” or “burti” music.

Which record labels is Mavo connected to?

Wikipedia lists Kilogbede Records and Inner Circle Records. It also describes SSSoundgawd as a Kilogbede Records signee.

Who has Mavo collaborated with?

Wikipedia and the other sources reviewed name Wizkid (“Money Constant”), Davido (a “Shakabulizzy” remix), CKay (“Body (Danz)”), Wave$tar, Zlatan, Shallipopi and Ayra Starr (the “Escaladizzy” remix), Kobilou, Kidd Carder, SSSoundgawd, DJHarvey and DJ 808.

What is Mavo’s net worth in 2026?

There is no verified figure, so this article does not publish one.