Nigerian music stars are once again steering the narrative for Africa's most prestigious music awards.
Fast-rising Nigerian singer Afolarin Odunlami, professionally known as Fola, has emerged as the most-nominated artist for the 18th Headies Awards, securing a staggering 10 nominations.
He is closely followed by hitmaker Omah Lay with eight nods, alongside global icons Wizkid and Mavo with seven nominations each, while Davido and Asake picked up six each.
Highlighted by major representation across elite categories—including Album of the Year, Best Male Artiste, and Next Rated—Nigerian heavyweights demonstrate their unmatched cultural impact as the awards prepare for an international showcase in Toronto, Canada on October 23, 2026.
Below is the complete list of categories and officially unveiled nominees for the 18th Headies Awards:
Rookie of the Year
Amma
Danpapa GTA
FirstKlaz
Kidd Carder
NO11
Priesst
Next Rated
Fido
Fola
Llona
Mavo
OG Abbah
Shoday
Song of the Year
Arike — Kunmie
Hey Jago — Poco Lee, Shoday & Rahman Jago
Hot Body — Ayra Starr
Joy Is Coming — Fido
MMS — Asake & Wizkid
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
Album of the Year
Catharsis — Fola
Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
G.O.A.T — Erigga
Morayo — Wizkid
No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
The Machine Is Coming — Odumodublvck
This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage
Afrobeats Album of the Year
5ive — Davido
Captain — BNXN
Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay
Fuji — Adekunle Gold
Morayo — Wizkid
No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
Best Recording of the Year
Arike — Kunmie
Baby (Is It a Crime) — Rema
Coping Mechanism — Omah Lay & Elmah
How Do You? — Amaeya
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
You — Fola
Best Male Artiste
Adekunle Gold
Asake
Burna Boy
Davido
Fola
Mavo
Rema
Wizkid
Best Female Artiste
Ayra Starr
Qing Madi
Sewa
Tems
Teni
Tiwa Savage
Digital Artiste of the Year
Asake
Ayra Starr
BNXN
Chella
Fola
Mavo
Seyi Vibez
Wizkid
Best Performer (Live)
Adekunle Gold — Live at the National Theatre, Lagos
Asake — Red Bull Symphonic
Ayra Starr — Global Citizen Festival 2025
Johnny Drille — Johnny’s Room Live 6
Ruger — Live at Indigo @ The O2, London
Best R&B Album
Before We Became Strangers — Kunmie
Catharsis — Fola
I Am the Blueprint — Qing Madi
Love Is a Kingdom — Tems
Reflection Station — Tay Iwar
This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage
Best R&B Single
6:35 — Layefa
How Do You? — Amaeya
I Love You — Amma
What You Need — Tems
Winter & Summer — Magixx
You4Me — Tiwa Savage
Best Rap Album
Black Sheepizen — Tuff King
G.O.A.T — Erigga
GE3 (The Beginning) — A-Q
King — Jeriq
No Excuses — Blaqbonez
The Machine Is Coming — Odumodublvck
Best Rap Single
2:02 PM in London — Odumodublvck
ACL — Blaqbonez
John Wick — Zhus Jdo
Man2Man — Dremo
Moshood — PDSTRN
Nkemakonam — Tuff King
Wuse Tu — Zaylevelten & Mavo
Best Alternative Album
Afrika Magik — Show Dem Camp (SDC)
Detox — Sewa
Duplicity — BOJ
Healers Chapel — Wizard Chan
Olorin Pack — Scottyolorin
Then 1t Got Crazy — Zaylevelten
Best Alternative Song
CYK Baddie — Luwa.mp4 ft. Jeleel!
Lagos Lovin — Sewa
Oliver — Wizard Chan
Omo to Sexy — BLNDE
Prada Baby — Wavestar
Sweet Danger — Obongjayar
Best Vocal Performer(Female)
Amaeya — How Do You?
Layefa — 6:35
Liya — Skin to Skin
Qing Madi — Scum Bag
Sewa — Lagos Lovin
Tiwa Savage — You4Me
Best Vocal Performer(Male)
Adekunle Gold — I'm Not Done
Flavour — Orente
Magixx — Winter and Summer
Odeal — Patience
Syemca — Love Egbugomo
Tay Iwar — Bad Belle
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