FOLA, Omah Lay, Davido, Mavo Lead 18th Headies Nominations

Nigeria’s biggest music stars are once again battling for top honours.

FOLA leads the nominations for the 18th Headies Awards after earning an impressive 10 nods. His strong showing follows the success of his debut album, Catharsis.

Omah Lay follows closely with eight nominations. Mavo and Wizkid each secured seven, while Davido also features among the leading nominees with multiple nods.

FOLA received recognition across several major categories. His nominations include Album of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best Recording of the Year and Next Rated.

His album Catharsis also competes for Album of the Year. His song “You” earned nominations in several categories, including Song of the Year and Best Recording of the Year.

Omah Lay also had a strong showing. His collaboration with Davido, “With You,” picked up nominations in major categories. These include Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Headies Collaboration.

Wizkid remains a major contender with seven nominations. His album Morayo is in the running for Album of the Year and Afrobeats Album of the Year.

Davido also received several nominations for his recent work. His collaboration with Omah Lay continues to stand out among this year’s major contenders.

Mavo’s seven nominations further highlight the growing influence of Nigeria’s younger generation of artists.

The Next Rated category also promises a fierce contest. FOLA, Mavo, Fido, Llona and Shoday will compete for the coveted award.

The 18th Headies Awards will take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026. The ceremony carries the theme “Africa to the World.”

The 18th Headies Awards are themed “Africa to the World” and will take place on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.

Album of the Year
FOLA – Carthasis
Tiwa Savage – This One Is Personal
Wizkid – Morayo
Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
Omah Lay – Clarity of Mind
Erigga – G.O.A.T
Odumodublvck – The Machine Is Coming

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

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

Afrobeats Single of the Year
Fun — Rema
Jogodo — Asake & Wizkid
Laho — Shallipopi
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
You — Fola
Bundle by Bundle — Burna Boy

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 at The O2, London (2025)

 

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 Recording of the Year
Arike — Kunmie
How Do You? — Amaeya
Baby (Is It a Crime) — Rema
Coping Mechanism — Omah Lay & Elmah
With You — Davido & Omah Lay
You — Fola

Best Alternative Album
Afrika Magik — SDC
Detox — Sewa
Duplicity — BOJ
Healers Chapel — Wizard Chan
Olorin Pack — Scottyolorin
Then 1t Got Crazy — Zaylevelten

Digital Artist of the Year
Asake
Ayra Starr
BNXN
Chella
Fola
Mavo
Seyi Vibez
Wizkid
Music Video of the Year
Director Pink — 10 Kilo — Davido
Dammy Twitch — With You — Davido
TG Omori — Afroculture — Flavour ft Baaba Maal
Jyde Ajala — Wizard Chan
DK — Bundle by Bundle — Burna Boy

Best Female Artist
Ayra Starr
Qing Madi
Sewa
Tems
Teni
Tiwa Savage

Best Male Artist
Adekunle Gold
Asake
Fola
Mavo
Rema
Wizkid
Burna Boy

Rookie of the Year
Amma
Danpapa Gta
Firstklaz
Kidd Carder
No11
Priesst
OG Abbah

Best Inspirational Single
Amioluwa — Sunmisola Agbebi ft Yinka Okeleye
Favour — Lawrence Oyor
Idinma (You Are Good) — Sinach
Korin Iyin (I Will Praise You) — EmmaOMG
No Turning Back 2 — Gaise Baba ft Lawrence Oyor
We Move — Mercy Chinwo

Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Layefa — 6:35
Amaeya — How Do You?
Sewa — Lagos Lovin
Qing Madi — Scum Bag
Liya — Skin to Skin
Tiwa Savage — You4Me