Encomium
The Headies, Africa’s leading entertainment awards, has released its nominations list ahead of the 18th ceremony, holding this October in Toronto, Canada. The list features 218 nominations spread across 35 categories, celebrating the biggest names and breakout stars who defined African music in the period under review (August 1, 2024 – April 30, 2026).
Fola is the most nominated act with 10 nods, including Album of the Year, Next Rated, Songwriter of the Year and Best Male Artiste, off the back of his acclaimed debut album CATHARSIS. Omah Lay follow closely with 8 as Davido, Mavo and Wizkid follow with 7 nominations each.
Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead the female nominees with 5 nods each, while Breakout artiste Kunmie is also nominated 5 times, including Song of the Year for his standout single, “Arike.” Adekunle Gold, Odumodublvck, and Shoday round out the 5-nomination tier.
Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You” is the most-nominated song, appearing in six categories: Recording of the Year, Music Video, Best Collaboration, Afrobeats Single, Viewers’ Choice, and Song of the Year. Best Collaboration itself is one of the most competitive categories on this year’s list, with 9 entries reflecting the sheer volume of standout joint records that defined the year, from Olamide’s star-studded posse cut “99” to Mr Eazi and King Promise’s “See What We’ve Done.”
The Next Rated category delivers a stacked field of rising stars which are Fido, FOLA, Llona, Mavo, and Shoday – while Rookie of the Year spotlights fresh breakout talent in Amma, Danpapa GTA, FirstKlaz, Kidd Carder, NO11, Priesst and OG Abbah.
Album of the Year brings together 7 of the year’s most celebrated projects: CATHARSIS (Fola), CLARITY OF MIND (Omah Lay), G.O.A.T (Erigga), MORAYO (Wizkid), NO SIGN OF WEAKNESS (Burna Boy), THE MACHINE IS COMING (Odumodublvck), and THIS ONE IS PERSONAL (Tiwa Savage).
This year’s ceremony will have artists in the Alternative genre shining as they have earned nominations in the general categories, while the Headies’ regional awards are extended across 16 African countries, alongside categories for International Artiste of the Year and Best Canadian/African Diaspora Artiste, underscoring the Headies’ continued push as a truly continental and global award.
Legendary Congolese artiste Awilo Longomba will receive the iconic HEADIES HALL OF FAME AWARD, while Cecil Hammond will be honoured with the SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD for his lasting contributions to African entertainment.
The 18th Headies Awards is themed “Africa to the World” and will take place on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
See the full nominations list. Voting details and other information will be announced later.
