The countdown to the 18th Headies Awards will take another step on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as nominees are expected to converge at VANITI in Lagos for a special nominees’ party.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10pm and is designed to bring together artistes and other members of the Nigerian music community recognised in this year’s nominations.

According to the event details reported ahead of the gathering, guests are expected to turn up in Afro Glam outfits, adding a Nigerian-inspired fashion element to the evening.

The nominees’ party forms part of the activities surrounding the 18th edition of the Headies, which has expanded beyond Nigeria for this year’s main ceremony.

The Headies officially released its 18th edition nominees in August, with Fola leading the nominations with 10 nods, followed by Omah Lay with eight, while Mavo and Wizkid received seven nominations each. Davido and Asake were among the artistes with six nominations.

The official nominee list features major categories including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Afrobeats Album of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Best Female Artiste, Best Recording of the Year, Best Collaboration, Next Rated and Headies Viewers’ Choice.

This year’s edition is themed “Africa to the World”, reflecting the organisers’ plans to give the awards a broader international platform.

Unlike previous editions staged in Nigeria, the 18th Headies ceremony is scheduled for October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. The organisers have described the move as part of the awards’ wider effort to connect African music and the global audience.

The Headies has also introduced activities around the Toronto programme, including events aimed at connecting the African creative industry with international audiences and business opportunities.

For the nominees gathering in Lagos, Saturday’s event provides an opportunity for artistes, producers, songwriters and other industry stakeholders to meet ahead of the main awards night.

The Headies, which began in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards, has grown into one of Nigeria’s major music award platforms, recognising achievements across different areas of the Nigerian and African music industry.

With the nominees’ party taking place in Lagos before the awards move to Canada later this month, attention within the Nigerian music scene is expected to remain focused on the artistes competing for honours at the 18th edition.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia