Organisers of The Headies Awards, Africa's longest-standing music awards, have announced that its 18th edition will be held on the 25th of October, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
The announcement was made by founder and Executive Producer Ayo Animashaun at The Headies Big Announcement, which was held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos on Monday, June 16 2026.
In a landmark first for the awards, the 2026 edition will be accompanied by the inaugural Headies Trade and Investment Summit, alongside a series of watch parties and supporting award activities to be staged in Nigeria, ensuring fans at home remain part of the global celebration.
"We are going to Toronto for the 18th Headies, and we are going to have watch parties and part of the award shows here in Nigeria," Animashaun said. "We are also hosting the Headies Trade and Business Summit for the first time in the history of the awards."
Ayo Animashaun revealed that travel company Wakanow has joined this edition as a partner to deliver what he described as a novel experience for artists, nominees, and guests journeying from Lagos to Toronto. He credited Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who chairs the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, as one of the earliest advocates for bringing the ceremony to Canada, noting the strength and success of the Nigerian diaspora there.
Framing the move within his broader vision for the awards' sustainability, Ayo Animashaun urged the industry to build multiple, durable revenue streams in the mould of the world's leading award shows.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, represented by Aare (Dr) Abisoye Fagade, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), described Nigerian music as a story of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride.
"What began as a local expression of our diverse identity has evolved into a global movement that transcends borders, languages, and continents. Today, Nigerian and African artists are not merely participating in global conversations; they are shaping them. African music has become one of our most influential cultural exports; a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, economic growth, youth empowerment, and nation-building."
The Minister charged the industry to look beyond streaming figures and international trophies toward lasting institution-building. "The future of African music will be defined by how effectively we build institutions, strengthen the ecosystem, preserve our cultural authenticity, and empower the next generation of creators. The Headies has become more than an award platform. It is a cultural institution that documents excellence, inspires ambition, and projects the best of Africa to the world. We commend the organisers for their ambition and dedication."
In his special remarks, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, hailed the move to Toronto as a bridge between the two nations while promoting culture and commerce
"Words matter, and today, one of those words is partnership. Between Nigeria and Canada, between culture and commerce, creativity and opportunity," he said. "When I met Ayo Animashaun for the first time, I was impressed by his clarity, his vision, by his conviction and the ideas that he had about moving the needle forward in terms of creative space, business, and beyond. Here we are two years later, celebrating this beautiful collaboration: the Headies coming to Canada."
Rojas-Arbulu pointed to the steady flow of Nigerian talent to Canada, with artistes including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Reekado Banks, Ayra Starr, Olamide, and more performing in the country within the last 18 months. He stressed the opportunity to connect that cultural momentum to tangible economic outcomes across business, education, tourism, and the diaspora.
"We have to connect that platform to business, to health, to education, to communities because that is what will continue to transform a relationship today valued in the billions of dollars," he said, noting Canada's role as a destination for thousands of Nigerian students each year and a growing two-way investment partner. "What Afrobeats is doing is a vector of economic development. We are proud to have Canada and Toronto be the destination for the next Headies. We are with you."
The move to Toronto marks a renewed international chapter for the awards. The Headies returned to Nigeria for its 17th edition last year after two consecutive editions in the United States, with the 15th and 16th ceremonies held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Further details on nominations, ticketing, watch parties, and the diaspora programme will follow in subsequent communications.