The 18th edition of the Headies Awards is scheduled to take place on October 25 in Toronto, Canada, as organisers push forward with plans to expand the ceremony’s global reach while maintaining a connection to its Nigerian roots.
Originally launched in 2006 as The Hip Hop World Awards, the platform is marking its 20th anniversary this year, having grown into one of the most recognised award schemes in Nigeria’s music industry.
Organised by Smooth Promotions under the leadership of Ayo Animashaun, the awards were earlier structured to hold two editions, the 17th and 18th, in a single year to realign its calendar after a missed schedule. The 18th edition was initially expected to take place in December 2025, but did not hold as planned.
In previous years, the Headies adopted an international approach, staging its 15th and 16th editions in Atlanta, United States, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in 2022 and 2023, before returning focus to Nigeria.
Announcing the latest plan, Animashaun confirmed that while the main ceremony will be held in Toronto, audiences in Nigeria will not be left out. A simultaneous watch party and selected award presentations are expected to take place in Lagos.
He also revealed additional plans, including a training and investment summit aimed at strengthening the creative industry.
“The first thing is that we’re going to Toronto for the 18th Headies. The second thing is that we’re not leaving Nigeria behind. We’re going to have a watch party and a watch show between Toronto and Lagos,” he said.
However, the decision has sparked renewed debate over the award’s identity and its connection to its core Nigerian audience. Critics argue that relocating the ceremony abroad risks weakening its cultural relevance at home.
Reactions on social media platform X were mixed, with some users questioning the direction of the awards and comparing its prestige to other African entertainment platforms.
Some commentators expressed frustration, while others used satire to criticise the move, suggesting the ceremony could continue shifting further away from Nigeria.
Others argued that international relocation might improve artist attendance, claiming that more Afrobeats stars are likely to attend when the event is hosted outside the country.
Despite the criticism, Animashaun defended the vision behind the expansion, urging industry stakeholders to focus on improvement rather than criticism.
“Rather than look for what we’re not doing right, see the things we can do better and support us on this journey,” he said.
He added that innovation within the creative industry should be encouraged, noting that perception and support play key roles in sustaining major entertainment platforms.
