Headies Sets April for 17th Edition and December for 18th Edition

The Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious music award, has made a major announcement: the 17th edition will take place in April 2025, and the 18th edition will follow in December 2025. This is a significant move as the Headies has decided to host two editions in one calendar year, a first in its history.

The 17th Headies Awards will be held on April 5, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The date was officially revealed by Ayo Animashaun, the Executive Producer of the Headies, during an unveiling event on January 28, 2025. This sets the stage for a grand celebration of Nigerian music and talent in the heart of Lagos.

The excitement surrounding the 17th edition kicks off earlier in March 2025, with the official nomination process running from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. Then, the grand finale will take place on April 5, when the winners of various categories will be celebrated in front of a live audience. Fans are eager to see which artists will take home the coveted trophies this year.

The 18th edition is scheduled for December 2025. This decision was made to accommodate the cancellation of the 17th edition in 2024 due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Mr. Animashaun explained that the award follows an annual schedule, and the Academy wanted to keep this tradition intact. By holding two editions in one year, they aim to make up for the lost time while still keeping the momentum of the award alive.

The 18th edition will cover the latter half of 2024 and a significant part of 2025. As a result, the nomination window for this edition is expected to include music from the second half of 2024 through much of 2025, creating an extended period for new and exciting talent to shine.

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s edition is the return of the Headies to Nigeria. The 16th edition, which took place in 2023, was held in Atlanta, USA, marking the second year in a row the ceremony was hosted outside of Nigeria. 

The decision to move the event abroad in previous years was due to high planning and logistical costs. However, with this return to Nigeria, fans are looking forward to seeing the awards ceremony back on home soil, bringing even more excitement to the Nigerian music scene.

As for the host and venue, details are still under wraps. However, fans are hopeful that the 17th edition will feature a spectacular stage and performances, showcasing the best of Nigerian music.

The Headies’ return to Nigeria is a positive development for the country’s music industry, which has continued to grow and gain global recognition. The awards have been a significant part of the Nigerian music scene since its first edition in 2006, and now, with the announcement of two editions in one year, the Headies will continue to celebrate the incredible talents that have made Nigerian music a global force.

Overall, the announcement of the 17th and 18th editions of the Headies is exciting news for music lovers everywhere. Whether in Lagos or elsewhere, the Headies continue to serve as a platform for recognizing and rewarding the best in Nigerian music. With the ceremony’s return to its roots, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025!