The organisers of Nigeria’s premier music awards, the Headies, have announced that the 18th edition of the awards will be held in Toronto, Canada, while also unveiling plans to keep Nigerian audiences actively involved through a simultaneous watch party in Lagos.
The announcement was made during “The Big Announcement” event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on Monday, where entertainment industry stakeholders, government officials and creative sector leaders gathered to hear details about the next edition of the prestigious awards.
Speaking at the event, Headies founder Ayo Animashaun said the decision to host the ceremony in Toronto aligns with the awards’ global vision while ensuring that Nigerian fans remain central to the celebration.
“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,” Animashaun said, explaining that organisers plan to host a watch party and a live linked show connecting audiences in Toronto and Lagos.
According to the organisers, the Toronto ceremony will run alongside a live viewing event in Lagos, allowing Nigerian music fans to participate in the celebrations as they unfold abroad. The dual city format is expected to strengthen the awards’ international reach while maintaining its roots in Nigeria’s thriving entertainment industry.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the organisers announced the launch of a Trade and Investment Summit aimed at fostering collaboration among investors, policymakers, entertainment professionals and other stakeholders within Nigeria’s creative economy. The initiative is expected to focus on investment opportunities, innovation and sustainable growth across the sector.
The international significance of the move was also highlighted by Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, who described Nigerian music as one of the country’s most influential cultural exports and noted the increasing number of Nigerian artistes performing in Canada.
The Headies first moved its ceremony outside Nigeria in 2022 when the 15th edition was staged in Atlanta. The following edition was also held in the U.S. before the awards returned to Lagos in 2025 under the theme “Back to Base.” The 18th edition marks another step in the organisers’ efforts to position the awards as a global platform for African music and culture.
The event attracted several notable figures from the entertainment industry, including Kcee, Deyemi Okanlawon, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other stakeholders who gathered to celebrate the continued growth of Nigeria’s music industry on the global stage.
