The nominees for the 18th Headies Awards have been unveiled, with some of Africa’s biggest music stars set to compete for honours at this year’s ceremony.
The 2026 edition, themed “Africa to the World,” is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026.
This year’s nomination list features established Afrobeats stars alongside some of the industry’s emerging voices, reflecting the growing influence of Nigerian and African music on the global stage.
According to the organisers, 213 nominations have been spread across 35 categories, with works released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, considered for the awards.
FOLA Leads the 2026 Headies Nominations
One of the biggest talking points from this year’s nominations is the strong showing by rising singer FOLA.
The artiste leads the nomination chart with 10 nominations, including recognition in major categories such as Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Recording of the Year and Next Rated.
His album Catharsis is nominated for Album of the Year and Best R&B Album, while his song “You” also features in several categories.
FOLA’s nominations place him alongside some of the biggest names in African music and highlight the growing presence of a new generation of Nigerian artistes.
Omah Lay, Wizkid and Other Major Nominees
Omah Lay is also among the leading nominees, with multiple nominations across major categories.
His collaboration with Davido, “With You,” has received several nominations, including Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice.
Wizkid also features prominently, with nominations for his album Morayo, as well as nominations in categories including Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste.
Davido, Burna Boy and Asake are also among the established stars competing across several major categories.
Song of the Year
The nominees for Song of the Year are:
- Arike — Kunmie
- Hey Jago — Poco Lee, Shoday & Rahman Jago
- Hot Body — Ayra Starr
- Joy Is Coming — Fido
- MMS — Asake & Wizkid
- With You — Davido & Omah Lay
Afrobeats Single of the Year
The nominees are:
- Fun — Rema
- Jogodo — Asake & Wizkid
- Laho — Shallipopi
- With You — Davido & Omah Lay
- You — FOLA
- Bundle by Bundle — Burna Boy
Album of the Year
The Album of the Year category features:
- Catharsis — FOLA
- Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
- G.O.A.T — Erigga
- Morayo — Wizkid
- The Machine Is Coming — ODUMODUBLVCK
- This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage
- No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
Afrobeats Album of the Year
The nominees include:
- 5IVE — Davido
- CAPTAIN — BNXN
- Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
- FUJI — Adekunle Gold
- Morayo — Wizkid
- No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
Best Male Artiste
The nominees are:
- Adekunle Gold
- Asake
- FOLA
- Mavo
- Rema
- Wizkid
- Burna Boy
Best Female Artiste
The nominees are:
- Ayra Starr
- Qing Madi
- Sewa
- Tems
- Teni
- Tiwa Savage
Next Rated
The Next Rated category features some of the artistes attracting significant attention from Nigeria’s newer generation:
- Fido
- FOLA
- Llona
- Mavo
- Shoday
The category recognises an emerging artiste considered to have the potential for mainstream success.
Best R&B Album
The nominees are:
- Before We Became Strangers — Kunmie
- Catharsis — FOLA
- I Am the Blueprint — Qing Madi
- Love Is a Kingdom — Tems
- Reflection Station — Tay Iwar
- This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage
Best Recording of the Year
The category features:
- Arike — Kunmie
- How Do You? — Amaeya
- Baby (Is It a Crime) — Rema
- Coping Mechanism — Omah Lay & Elmah
- With You — Davido & Omah Lay
- You — FOLA
Best Performer (Live)
The nominees are:
- Adekunle Gold — Live at the National Theatre, Lagos
- Asake — Red Bull Symphonic
- Ayra Starr — Global Citizen Festival 2025
- Johnny Drille — Johnny’s Room Live 6
- Ruger — Live at Indigo at The O2, London (2025)
Digital Artiste of the Year
The nominees in this category are:
- Asake
- Ayra Starr
- BNXN
- Chella
- FOLA
- Mavo
- Seyi Vibez
- Wizkid
Special Recognition and Hall of Fame
The 18th Headies will also honour notable figures who have made contributions to African entertainment.
Congolese music legend Awilo Longomba is set to receive a Hall of Fame honour, while Nigerian entertainment executive Cecil Hammond will receive the Special Recognition Award.
The Headies Goes to Toronto
The 2026 ceremony continues The Headies’ international expansion, with the awards moving to Toronto, Canada under the theme “Africa to the World.”
The move reflects the increasingly international reach of African music and the growing global audience for Afrobeats and other African genres.
The official Headies website lists October 25, 2026 as the date of the 18th Headies ceremony in Toronto.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Headies nominations have brought together some of the biggest established names in African music and a new generation of artistes making their mark.
With FOLA leading the nominations, alongside strong showings from Omah Lay, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr and others, the 18th edition is shaping up as another major celebration of African music.
As fans await the October ceremony in Toronto, attention will now turn to the various categories, performances and eventual winners.
Wheytindey Blog will continue to bring you the latest updates from the 2026 Headies Awards.
