Headies: Canadian Embassy, Wakanow Back 18th Edition in Toronto
The 18th edition of The Headies is gathering significant international backing as the Canadian High Commission and travel company Wakanow support the awards ahead of its historic return to the global stage in Toronto.
The latest development was highlighted during a reception hosted by the Deputy High Commission of Canada in Lagos, bringing together major figures from Nigeria’s entertainment, government, business and creative sectors.
The Toronto edition is scheduled for October 25, 2026, and will be held under the theme “Africa to the World.”
The Canadian diplomatic mission hosted a special reception in Lagos as part of the build-up to the 18th Headies.
The event attracted Headies founder Ayo Animashaun, Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, Deputy High Commissioner Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, and several prominent personalities from Nigeria’s creative industry.
Among those present were filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, singer Korede Bello, entertainment executive Ubi Franklin, musician Dare Art Alade, veteran rapper Ruggedman, Morayo Afolabi-Brown and gospel singer Gaise Baba.
The evening also featured performances from Teni, while veteran musician Faze delivered a nostalgic performance of some of his classic records.
Travel company Wakanow is also backing the Toronto edition, with the partnership expected to assist guests travelling from Nigeria to Canada for the awards.
The partnership is part of the broader plan to make the Toronto experience more than simply an awards ceremony, with travel, entertainment and business opportunities forming part of the programme.
Headies founder Ayo Animashaun previously explained that the partnership would help create a more complete experience for Nigerians and other guests making the trip to Canada.
The decision to stage the 18th Headies in Toronto represents another step in the awards’ international expansion.
The Headies first moved outside Nigeria in 2022 when the 15th edition was held in Atlanta, United States. The 16th edition also took place in Atlanta before the awards returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025.
The Toronto edition therefore marks the third time the ceremony will be held outside Nigeria.
The organisers say the move is aimed at reflecting the growing international influence of African music and creating stronger connections between Nigerian creatives and global audiences.
Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner has similarly highlighted the growing presence of Nigerian artistes in Canada, pointing to the country’s large Nigerian diaspora and the increasing demand for Nigerian music and culture.
This year’s Headies will also go beyond music awards.
The organisers have introduced a Trade and Investment Summit, designed to bring together creatives, investors, businesses, government representatives and other stakeholders.
The summit is expected to explore opportunities around the wider creative economy, including music, film, fashion, technology and other industries connected to African creativity.
According to the organisers, the objective is to help harness the global popularity of African creativity to create stronger commercial and investment opportunities.
The Toronto ceremony is also shaping up to be a major night for Nigerian music, with some of Africa’s biggest stars competing for honours.
Fola leads the nominations with 10 nods, followed by Omah Lay with eight. Mavo and Wizkid each have seven nominations, while Davido and Asake received six apiece.
Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead the female nominees with five nominations each.
Other major names competing include Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, Adekunle Gold, Teni and several emerging artistes.
The 18th Headies appears designed to position the awards as more than a celebration of Nigerian music.
With the ceremony moving to Toronto, the organisers are placing greater emphasis on the international business opportunities surrounding Afrobeats and African creativity.
Our collaboration with the Canadian High Commission, support from Wakanow, and the introduction of a trade and investment summit all point to a broader ambition for the awards.
As African music continues to gain audiences across North America, Europe and other international markets, the Toronto edition could provide the Headies with another opportunity to connect Nigerian talent with a much larger global ecosystem.
The 18th Headies will therefore be watched not only for who takes home the major awards, but also for how successfully the ceremony translates the “Africa to the World” vision into a lasting international platform.
