Nigeria’s premier music award platform, the Headies Awards, has officially announced that its 18th edition will take place in Toronto, Canada, marking a historic move for the long-running celebration of Nigerian music excellence.

The announcement was made on June 15, 2026, during a formal event held at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel in Lagos, where organisers unveiled plans for the ceremony in collaboration with international partners, including representatives linked to the Academy Awards and the Canadian Embassy.

Founder and CEO of Smooth Promotions and Hip TV, Ayo Animashaun, confirmed that the upcoming edition will be staged in Toronto, describing the decision as a strategic step to deepen the global reach of the awards.

According to Animashaun, the move was influenced by the strong presence of Nigerians in Canada and the growing influence of Afrobeats and Nigerian pop culture across international markets.

He noted that the 2026 cycle also coincides with a major milestone for the brand: its 20th anniversary, having first launched in 2006 in Lagos as the Hip Hop World Awards before evolving into The Headies.

Animashaun described the anniversary as a testament to the award platform’s “resilience, consistency, and commitment to celebrating excellence in Nigerian music,” despite industry and structural challenges over the years.

 

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The Canadian Embassy also welcomed the collaboration, with Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, describing the partnership as a reflection of the rapid global growth of Nigerian music and its cultural influence.

He emphasised that Canada’s large Nigerian diaspora community played a key role in the decision, noting that hosting the event in Toronto would help further connect Nigerian creatives with a broader international audience.

To support attendance and logistics for the overseas ceremony, organisers also announced a partnership with travel company Wakanow. The company’s CEO, Adebayo Adedeji, stated that the initiative would assist attendees with travel arrangements, accommodation, airport transfers, and curated experiences in Toronto.

With this landmark move, the Headies Awards continues its evolution from a local Nigerian ceremony into a globally recognised platform, reflecting the expanding footprint of Afrobeats and the internationalisation of Nigerian music culture.

 

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