At just 16, David Oluwatumininu Oke has achieved what many seasoned entertainers only dream of: he co-hosted the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) live on stage, alongside Nigerian media personality IK Osakioduwa.

For most teens, award nights are something you watch on TV with your family. But for David, the story flipped fast.

Born in the United Kingdom and raised in a home where music flowed like water, David was always destined for the spotlight. His “entire family is into music,” so it wasn’t strange that he started early.

“It started as a family thing,” he says. “Then I began getting small gigs; birthdays, weddings. My first big break was Flytime Fest.”

That Flytime Festival performance changed everything. Suddenly, David wasn’t just the kid with the saxophone at parties. He was a rising act. The Headies came calling not long after, and he graced that stage once or twice. But nothing, he says, prepared him for the magnitude of the AMVCA.

“I was very tense at first,” David confesses. “The kind of audience, the nerves… I didn’t think I’d be standing in front of that many people. But God has His ways.”

How it happened

David’s AMVCA opportunity came through Road 14 Studios, a creative hub that supports young talents in music and media.

“He got the role through Road 14 Studios,” confirms his mum, Opeyemi Oluronke Oke. “There weren’t months of intense training, just a few rehearsals over a couple of days with IK and the team. But David was excited and ready.”

It’s not every day a 16-year-old shares a stage with one of Nigeria’s most experienced presenters. But according to David, that night was less about nerves and more about soaking in the moment.

“I’ve worked with IK before, but this was different. Sharing the same stage live, at this level, was a whole new experience.”

Even his mum couldn’t hold back her admiration for the way IK handled the mentorship.

“IK was very gracious,” she says. “Very friendly, very helpful. It was such a calming experience for David.”

Bigger than hosting

While the AMVCA was his first time anchoring a major award show, David has been a performer for years. He plays musical instruments and is often booked for performances where he combines vocals with live sound. The hosting role was just another layer to his artistic personality.

When asked if he’s now ready to take on more hosting duties, his answer is loud and clear: “Yes. I’m ready for anything that comes my way. God is with me.”

For now, schooling is on his immediate horizon. But he will find ways to juggle that with his hosting commitments.

“I’ll be going to the US to study music and IT. From there, it’s wherever God takes me,” David says.

His mum adds that he’ll keep taking on projects, so long as they don’t clash with school. Balance is key.

“Of course, he’ll continue,” she says. “As long as it works with his school schedule.”

A rising star

David Oke isn’t just a teenager who stumbled into fame. He’s a product of talent, discipline, and divine timing. He may be young, but he already carries the calmness of a seasoned artiste and the hunger of a rising star.

As Gen Z continues to redefine what’s possible for young Nigerians, David stands out, not just for what he has done but for how grounded he remains.

“Watch out for him,” one AMVCA winner whispered backstage. “This boy is going places.” (The Guardian)