The Headies announce 18th edition nominees amid controversy

The Headies, Nigeria’s prominent music awards ceremony, has announced the nominees for its 18th edition. The upcoming ceremony is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 23, 2026. The event will be preceded by ‘Headies Week,’ which includes a Trade and Investment Summit and a Creative Summit on October 22. Notably, the nomination list includes a ‘Best Original Song for Visual Media’ category, recognizing the intersection of the Nigerian music and film industries.

However, the awards organizers are facing significant criticism. Multiple past winners have reportedly called out the organizers regarding unpaid cash prizes dating back more than three years. Additionally, prominent Nigerian artists, including Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage, have expressed dissatisfaction with the ceremony’s management. Ayra Starr specifically criticized the practice of presenting major categories backstage rather than on the main stage, questioning the prestige of such recognitions.