The Headies Returns Abroad, Announces Canada as Host of 18th Edition Amid Funding Concerns
The organisers of Nigeria’s biggest music award ceremony, The Headies, have announced that the prestigious event will leave Nigeria once again, with Canada selected as the host country for the 18th edition.
The announcement was made on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun, revealed that the decision to stage the ceremony in Toronto was largely driven by economic considerations.
The move marks another international chapter for the awards after the ceremony first moved outside Nigeria in 2022 for its 15th edition, which was held in Atlanta, United States. The awards later returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025.
Explaining the decision, Animashaun said the choice was not about abandoning Nigeria but about finding a sustainable way to keep the awards running.
According to him, organising a major entertainment event requires significant financial backing, and taking the show to Toronto provides a more practical option.
“Someone said Ayo, you are taking the Headies out of the country again, it doesn’t make sense. Tell me what makes sense. Does it make sense for us not to do it anymore?” he said.
He added that Nigerian fans would not be left out, as the organisers plan to host a live watch party in Lagos, allowing music lovers at home to participate in the celebration while the main ceremony takes place in Canada.
The decision has already generated conversations among entertainment followers, with some questioning why a Nigerian music award platform continues to move outside the country, while others believe the international expansion could help promote Afrobeats on a global stage.
The Headies’ move to Toronto reflects the growing global influence of Nigerian music, but it also raises questions about how local entertainment platforms can balance international visibility with maintaining a strong connection to their home audience.
