By Ayomide Otitoju
The Headies has announced that its 18th edition will be held in Toronto, Canada, marking another step in the awards’ international expansion while maintaining a strong connection to Nigeria’s creative industry.
The announcement was made on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, where entertainment stakeholders, government officials and industry leaders gathered to hear details of the forthcoming edition of Nigeria’s premier music awards.
Speaking at the event, Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun, said the organisers are committed to ensuring that Nigerian audiences remain central to the experience despite the ceremony taking place abroad.
Animashaun revealed that the awards will be accompanied by a live watch party in Lagos, allowing fans in Nigeria to participate in the celebration as the event unfolds in Toronto.
“The first thing is that we’re going to Toronto for the 18th Headies. The second thing is that we’re not just going to Toronto; we’re not leaving Nigeria behind. We’re going to have a watch party; we’re going to have a watch show between Toronto and Lagos. For the first time, we’re having a training and investment summit,” he said.
According to the organisers, the dual-city format is designed to strengthen the awards’ global reach while preserving its connection with its home audience.
In addition to the awards ceremony, The Headies announced the launch of its maiden Trade and Investment Summit, aimed at fostering collaboration among entertainment professionals, investors, businesses and policymakers. Organisers said the summit would provide a platform for discussions on investment opportunities, innovation and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s creative sector.
Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, described Nigerian music as one of the country’s most influential cultural exports and highlighted its growing impact in Canada.
He noted that several leading Nigerian artistes, including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Olamide, Reekado Banks, Shallipopi, Asake and Ayra Starr, have performed in Canada in recent months, reflecting the increasing global appeal of Nigerian music.
Animashaun also addressed the controversy surrounding the previous edition of the awards, during which several winners did not receive their plaques on stage.
He attributed the issue to a change in suppliers, alleging that the organisation received counterfeit plaques that failed to meet the required standards. The development prevented the awards from being distributed as planned and drew criticism from fans and some artistes.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Afrobeats Without Borders,” where industry experts examined the global growth of Afrobeats and its expanding cultural and economic influence beyond Africa.
Guests were also treated to a live performance by Nigerian rapper Magnito, while several notable personalities attended the unveiling ceremony.
Among those present were Kcee, Yaw, Deyemi Okanlawon, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Daddy Freeze, Candy Bleakz and Tee A.
The Headies first took the awards outside Nigeria in 2022 when its 15th edition was hosted in Atlanta as part of efforts to showcase the global success of Afrobeats. The 16th edition also took place in Atlanta before the awards returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025 under the theme “Back to Base.”
