The organisers of the Headies Awards have unveiled the nominees for the 2026 edition of the prestigious music awards, with Fola, Omah Lay, Wizkid and Mavo among the biggest names dominating the list.
The nominees for the 18th edition of the awards, themed “Africa to the World,” were announced on Tuesday through an Instagram post by the organisers.
A total of 213 nominations were recorded across the various categories, with Fola emerging as the most nominated artiste after securing 10 nominations.
Omah Lay followed closely with eight nominations, while Wizkid and Mavo each earned seven nominations. Among the female artistes, Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr led the pack with five nominations apiece.
The 2026 Headies Awards is scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, bringing together some of the biggest names in African music and the international music scene.
Song of the Year
Rahman Jago
With You by Davido and Omah Lay
Hey Jago by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago
Joy Is Coming by Fido
Hot Body by Ayra Starr
Arike by Kunmie
MMS by Asake and Wizkid
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Afrobeats Single of the Year
You by Fola
Jogodo by Asake and Wizkid
With You by Davido and Omah Lay
Bundle by Bundle by Burna Boy
Fun by Rema
Laho by Shallipopi
Best Performer (Live)
Asake for Red Bull Symphonic
Adekunle Gold for Live at the National Theatre, Lagos
Ayra Starr for Global Citizen Festival 2025
Ruger for Live at Indigo at The O2, London, 2025
Johnny Drille for Johnny’s Room Live 6
Best R&B Album
Catharsis by Fola
I Am the Blueprint by Qing Madi
Reflection Station by Tay Iwar
Love Is a Kingdom by Tems
This One Is Personal by Tiwa Savage
Before We Became Strangers by Kunmie
Best Recording of the Year
How Do You? by Amaeya
You by Fola
Baby (Is It a Crime) by Rema
Coping Mechanism by Omah Lay and Elmah
With You by Davido and Omah Lay
Arike by Kunmie
Best Alternative Album
Detox by Sewa
Olorin Pack by Scottyolorin
Duplicity by BOJ
Then 1t Got Crazy by Zaylevelten
Afrika Magik by SDC
Healers Chapel by Wizard Chan
Digital Artiste of the Year
Ayra Starr
Asake
BNXN
Seyi Vibez
Fola
Mavo
Wizkid
Chella
Next Rated
Fola
Shoday
Llona
Mavo
Fido
Afrobeats Album of the Year
Morayo by Wizkid
5ive by Davido
No Sign of Weakness by Burna Boy
Captain by BNXN
Fuji by Adekunle Gold
Clarity of Mind by Omah Lay
Music Video of the Year
Dammy Twitch for With You by Davido
Jyde Ajala for Wizard Chan
TG Omori for Afroculture by Flavour featuring Baaba Maal
DK for Bundle by Bundle by Burna Boy
Director Pink for 10 Kilo by Davido
Best Female Artiste
Tiwa Savage
Ayra Starr
Sewa
Qing Madi
Tems
Teni
Best Male Artiste
Fola
Asake
Mavo
Wizkid
Rema
Burna Boy
Adekunle Gold
Rookie of the Year
Priesst
Danpapa Gta
Kidd Carder
Firstklaz
No11
OG Abbah
Amma
Best Inspirational Single
Favour by Lawrence Oyor
We Move by Mercy Chinwo
Idinma (You Are Good) by Sinach
No Turning Back 2 by Gaise Baba featuring Lawrence Oyor
Amioluwa by Sunmisola Agbebi featuring Yinka Okeleye
Korin Iyin (I Will Praise You) by EmmaOMG
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Magixx for Winter and Summer
Flavour for Orente
Odeal for Patience
Syemca for Love Egbugomo
Tay Iwar for Bad Belle
Adekunle Gold for I’m Not Done
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Amaeya for How Do You?
Tiwa Savage for You4Me
Sewa for Lagos Lovin
Liya for Skin to Skin
Layefa for 6:35
Qing Madi for Scum Bag
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Kashcoming for All My Money
Shallipopi for Laho
Poco Lee for Hey Jago featuring Shoday and Rahman Jago
Famous Pluto for Na Scra
Seyi Vibez for Shaolin
Rybeena for Gaddem featuring Shoday
Tuff King for Nkemakonam
International Artiste of the Year
Shenseea
Dave
Gunna
Jazmine Sullivan
Tiakola
Ciara
