Nigeria’s biggest music stars, including Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy, will battle for top honours at the 18th Headies Awards, while socialite and nightlife entrepreneur Cubana Chief Priest has also secured a nomination.
The organisers unveiled the 2026 nominees on August 25, with the awards ceremony scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25. The edition considers music released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026.
Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy feature prominently across several major categories. Davido’s With You, featuring Omah Lay, is among the most recognised entries, earning nominations for Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Headies Viewers’ Choice.
Wizkid is nominated in major categories for his work with Asake, including MMS and Jogodo. His album Morayo is also competing for Afrobeats Album of the Year, alongside Davido’s 5ive and Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness.
Burna Boy is also in contention for Best Male Artiste and Afrobeats Album of the Year, while his hit Bundle by Bundle earned an Afrobeats Single of the Year nomination. His work also appears among the nominees for Music Video of the Year.
Cubana Chief Priest, whose entry marks a notable crossover from entertainment personality to music award nominee, is recognised in the Best Headies Collaboration category for Finally, his collaboration with Spyki. He also earns a nomination in the Best Alternative Song category for Summer Adina, featuring BoyPee and Zoro Swagbag.
The nominations also shine a spotlight on a new generation of Nigerian artistes. Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday are competing for Next Rated, while Fola emerged as one of the most prominent names across the nomination list with entries in several categories.
In the Best Male Artiste category, Davido is notably absent, with Wizkid and Burna Boy joined by Adekunle Gold, Asake, Fola, Mavo and Rema. The Best Female Artiste race features Ayra Starr, Qing Madi, Sewa, Tems, Teni and Tiwa Savage.
The 18th Headies will also honour Congolese music legend Awilo Longomba with a Hall of Fame induction, while entertainment executive Cecil Hammond will receive a Special Recognition Award.
With established Afrobeats giants going head-to-head with some of the industry’s emerging stars, the 2026 Headies is shaping up as another major contest for bragging rights in Nigerian music.
