Fast-rising Nigerian singer Fola has emerged as the leading nominee for the 18th Headies Awards, with established stars Wizkid and Omah Lay also earning multiple nominations ahead of the 2026 ceremony.
The organisers unveiled the nomination list on Tuesday, with a total of 213 nominations announced across the various categories. Fola received 10 nominations, while Omah Lay and Wizkid secured eight and seven nominations respectively. Mavo also received seven nominations, placing the emerging artiste among the major contenders.
Other prominent artistes on the list include Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage, reflecting a mix of established stars and newer voices competing for recognition.
Among the major categories, Fola’s “You” earned a nomination for Afrobeats Single of the Year, while Omah Lay’s “Clarity of Mind” and Wizkid’s “Morayo” were listed in the Afrobeats Album of the Year category.
The Song of the Year category features works including “With You” by Davido and Omah Lay, “MMS” by Asake and Wizkid, “Hot Body” by Ayra Starr, “Joy Is Coming” by Fido and “Arike” by Kunmie.
The nominations are significant because the Headies remain one of Nigeria’s most prominent music award platforms, providing recognition for artistic achievement while also highlighting emerging talents shaping the country’s rapidly expanding music industry.
The 18th edition is themed “Africa to the World” and is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026. The international venue continues the Headies’ efforts to position Nigerian and African music within the global entertainment market.
With established stars competing alongside emerging artistes such as Fola and Mavo, the 2026 nominations set up a closely watched awards race.
The final winners will be determined at the ceremony, where attention will turn to which artistes and recordings ultimately take home the coveted Headies trophies.
