By Peace Udugba
The Headies has unveiled the nominations for its 18th edition, with Nigerian singer Fola emerging as the most nominated artiste ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
Themed “Africa to the World,” the 18th Headies features 218 nominations across 35 categories, recognising artistes, songs and albums that shaped African music during the period under review, from August 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026.
Fola leads the nominations with 10 nods, including Album of the Year, Next Rated, Songwriter of the Year and Best Male Artiste, following the success of his debut album, CATHARSIS.
Omah Lay follows with eight nominations, while Davido, Mavo and Wizkid each receive seven nominations.
Among the female artistes, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead with five nominations each. Breakout artiste Kunmie also earns five nominations, including a Song of the Year nomination for his hit single, Arike.
Adekunle Gold, Odumodublvck and Shoday also secured five nominations each.
‘With You’ Leads Song Nominations
Davido and Omah Lay’s collaboration, “With You,” emerged as the most-nominated song, earning six nominations across Recording of the Year, Music Video, Best Collaboration, Afrobeats Single, Viewers’ Choice and Song of the Year.
The Best Collaboration category is particularly competitive, featuring nine nominated entries, including Olamide’s 99 and Mr Eazi and King Promise’s See What We’ve Done.
Next Rated, Rookie of the Year Categories
The Next Rated category features Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday, while the Rookie of the Year category includes Amma, Danpapa GTA, FirstKlaz, Kidd Carder, NO11, Priesst and OG Abbah.
The Album of the Year category features seven major projects: Fola’s CATHARSIS, Omah Lay’s CLARITY OF MIND, Erigga’s G.O.A.T, Wizkid’s MORAYO, Burna Boy’s NO SIGN OF WEAKNESS, Odumodublvck’s THE MACHINE IS COMING and Tiwa Savage’s THIS ONE IS PERSONAL.
This year’s nominations also highlight artistes in the Alternative genre, with several receiving recognition in the general award categories.
The Headies has further expanded its regional awards to cover 16 African countries, while introducing categories including International Artiste of the Year and Best Canadian/African Diaspora Artiste.
Awilo Longomba, Cecil Hammond to Receive Special Honours
Legendary Congolese musician Awilo Longomba will be honoured with the prestigious Headies Hall of Fame Award.
Cecil Hammond will also receive the Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the growth and development of African entertainment.
The 18th Headies Awards will hold on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada, under the theme “Africa to the World.”
The organisers said voting details and other information concerning the ceremony will be announced at a later date.
