The organisers of the prestigious The Headies have announced that the award ceremony will once again be held outside Nigeria, with the 18th edition scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada.
The announcement was made on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event held at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, where Headies founder Ayo Animashaun explained the reasons behind the decision.
The development marks another international chapter for the awards, which first left Nigeria in 2022 when the 15th edition was hosted in Atlanta.
After spending time abroad, the awards returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025, prompting expectations that future ceremonies would remain in Nigeria.
However, Animashaun revealed that economic realities and funding challenges played a major role in the decision to move the event back overseas.
Addressing concerns from critics who questioned why the awards were leaving the country again, he argued that sustaining an event of the Headies’ magnitude requires substantial financial resources.
“Someone said, ‘Ayo, you are taking the Headies out of the country again,’ and he said it doesn’t make sense. Tell me what makes sense. Does it make sense for us not to do it anymore?” he said.
The Headies has long been regarded as one of Africa’s most influential music award platforms, recognising excellence across the Nigerian and African music industries. Over the years, the event has celebrated some of the continent’s biggest stars and played a significant role in promoting Afrobeats and other African music genres to global audiences.
Animashaun stressed that while the main ceremony will take place in Toronto, organisers have put measures in place to ensure Nigerian fans remain part of the celebration.
According to him, a large-scale watch party will be hosted in Lagos, allowing fans, industry stakeholders, and music lovers to experience the event in real time.
The Lagos watch party is expected to feature live broadcasts from Canada and selected segments of the awards presentation, ensuring local audiences can participate in the festivities despite the physical distance.
“We will have a watch party in Lagos,” Animashaun stated.
The decision has already sparked mixed reactions across social media and within the entertainment industry.
Some supporters argue that hosting the awards internationally enhances its global appeal and reflects the growing influence of African music on the world stage. They believe taking the event to major international cities can attract sponsors, investors, and wider media attention, ultimately benefiting African artists.
Others, however, have expressed disappointment that one of Nigeria’s most prominent entertainment events is once again moving abroad. Critics argue that the awards should remain in Nigeria to support the local economy and preserve its identity as a homegrown platform.
The move comes at a time when Afrobeats continues to achieve unprecedented international success, with Nigerian artists selling out arenas, topping global charts, and winning major international awards.
By choosing Toronto as the host city, organisers appear to be targeting a large African diaspora audience while also positioning the event within one of North America’s most diverse cultural hubs.
Although the exact date for the 18th Headies has not yet been announced, anticipation is already building among artists, fans, and industry stakeholders eager to see how the awards will evolve in its latest international outing.
With Toronto set to host the main ceremony and Lagos serving as the hub for local celebrations, the 18th edition promises to blend global visibility with homegrown participation, reinforcing the Headies’ ambition to remain a leading platform for celebrating African music and culture.
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