The first edition was held at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park on July 28, 2006, and was hosted by comedian Michael Blackson.

The third edition was held at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City in June 2008 and was hosted by actor Raz Adoti (Amistad) and Tatiana from the 2007 season of Big Brother Africa.

The seventh edition was held on September 2, 2011, at the Symphony Space Sharp Theater in New York and was hosted by comedian Julius Agwu and actress Funke Akindele (aka "Jenifa").

Appearances were made by Don Jazzy, Davido, Vivian Ndour, D'Prince, Sarkodie, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Uche Jumbo, Susan Peters, and Juliet Ibrahim.

The sold-out event was attended by many celebrities, including Pasuma, Jerry Wonder, Kevin Lyttle, Fally Ipupa, DJ Abass, Juliet Ibrahim, DJ Cuppy, Sunkanmi, Ayojay, Emma Nyra, Bimbo Thomas, Ruth Kadiri, Destiny Amaka, Sonia Ibrahim, Chiney Ogwumike, Gbenro Ajibade, Jimmie, Maria Okan, Swanky Jerry, Mimi Onalaja, Tjan, and Toby Grey.

The show also had some industry business executives in attendance, such as Howie T (Baseline Records), Ayo Shonaiya, Jason Oshiokpekhai (Delta Airlines), Kobi Brew-Hammond (Arik Air), Dan Petruzzi (OkayPlayer), Abiola Oke (OkayAfrica), Chetachi Nwoga (Chibase), Jason Kpana (Tidal), Briant Biggs (Roc Nation), Roslin Ilori (Mtech), and Suilemana (Right Ent).

Also in attendance were many notable names including Seyi Shay, Young Paris, Dremo, Sheyman, ID Cabasa, DJ Enimoney, Danagog, Dotman, D12, and many others.

The 2019 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was originally scheduled to take place outside of the U.S. for the first time in Johannesburg, South Africa in November 2019 but was cancelled due to escalated cases of Xenophobia.