Rave pop star D'Banj has become the third Nigerian artiste to be nominated for the prestigious MTV Europe music awards. His nomination, as Best African act, coming a few days after he lost a MOBO prize to compatriot 2face idibia, is a sure sign that he is rated high by fans and pundits across Africa as the award is strictly by voting (first by music industry executives and then fans who decide the eventual winner).

He is up against Ghana's Batman Samini, Uganda's Chameleone , Kenya 's Jua Cali and South Africa 's HHP for the award which is scheduled to hold in Munich , Germany on November 1st. He stands a good chance, considering that he is about the best-selling act of all the nominees, and should Nigeria decide to vote en masse, he has the advantage of population to work in his favour. Nigeria is the most populous of all the countries nominated.

D'Banj is also of favourite of MTV base jockeys, and he boasts of a huge fans base in Ghana , South Africa and Kenya. His other rivals are relatively unknown in Nigeria , except for Batman, who is a bit known here, but will not be voted for by Nigerians- recall that he beat Nigeria 's Psquare to win the MOBO best African act in 2006.

The MTV EMA, to be anchored this year by Snoop Dogg, is billed to hold at

Munich 's OlympiaHalle on 1 November. The ceremony will air live across Africa on MTV base (DStv Channel 88) and MTV European (DStv Channel 85).

The Best African Act was initiated in 2005 to mark the arrival in sub-Saharan Africa of MTV's 100 th and first African music channel, MTV base. The first ever award was won by Nigeria 's 2-FACE Idibia, whose video was, incidentally, the first to be played on the station; followed in 2006 by South Africa 's Freshlyground.

To vote for D'banj, please go to www.mtvema.com.