Fola leads the 18th Headies nominations list with 11 nods, while Omah Lay secured 8 nominations largely thanks to his hit collaboration with Davido, "With You." The ceremony will take place on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
Wizkid, Omah Lay, Mavo, and Fola Top the List
The 18th Headies nominations have been announced, with Fola leading the charge with 11 nominations. The singer's monumental 2025 has paid off, with nods for Album of the Year, Next Rated, Songwriter of the Year, and Best Male Artiste. Omah Lay follows closely with 8 nominations, thanks to his hit collaboration with Davido, "With You."
Regional Recognition and Global Reach
This year's ceremony will have artists in the Alternative genre shining as they have earned nominations in the general categories. The Headies' regional awards are extended across 16 African countries, alongside categories for International Artiste of the Year and Best Canadian/African Diaspora Artiste. Legendary Congolese artiste Awilo Longomba will receive the iconic HEADIES HALL OF FAME AWARD, while Cecil Hammond will be honored with the SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD for his lasting contributions to African entertainment.
Music Videos and Song of the Year
The Music Video of the Year category features a stacked field, with Director Pink, TG Omori, and Dammy Twitch nominated for their work on songs like Davido's "10 Kilo" and Davido's "With You." Davido's collaboration with Omah Lay, "With You," is also nominated for Song of the Year, alongside other top contenders like Kunmie's "Arike" and Poco Lee's "Hey Jago."
Global Recognition and Inspiration
The 18th Headies Awards are themed “Africa to the World” and will take place on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. This year's ceremony will have artists in the Alternative genre shining as they have earned nominations in the general categories. The Headies' regional awards are extended across 16 African countries, alongside categories for International Artiste of the Year and Best Canadian/African Diaspora Artiste.
The Road to the 18th Headies Awards
The 18th Headies Awards will be held on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The ceremony will celebrate the biggest names and breakout stars who defined African music in the period under review (August 1, 2024 – April 30, 2026). With 213 nominations spread across 35 categories, the 18th Headies Awards are shaping up to be one of the most exciting and competitive ceremonies yet.
Source: Pulse.ng
