The 18th edition of the Headies Awards will be held in Toronto, Canada, in 2026, organizers confirmed Monday, while also revealing plans for a simultaneous watch party in Lagos to keep Nigeria connected to the ceremony.
Ayo Animashaun, founder of the Headies, made the announcement at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, attended by entertainment stakeholders, government officials and industry leaders.
“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. We’re going to have a watch party; we’re going to have a watch party between Toronto and Lagos,” Animashaun said.
Responding to concerns about moving the awards outside Nigeria again, Animashaun argued that securing sponsorship is critical to the event’s survival. “Someone said, ‘Ayo, you are taking the Headies out of the country again.’ He said it doesn’t make sense. Tell me what makes sense. Does it make sense for us not to do it anymore? So how do we fund it? I said, sponsors,” he added.
Organizers described the Toronto edition as part of a broader push to extend the global reach of Nigerian music and the creative industry. A specific date for the 18th Headies has yet to be announced.
