The organisers of The Headies have announced that the 18th edition of the music awards will be held in Toronto, Canada, alongside the introduction of a new Trade and Investment Summit designed to promote growth within Nigeria’s creative industry.

The announcement was made on Monday in Lagos during a gathering of entertainment stakeholders, government representatives and industry leaders, where plans for the next edition of the awards were unveiled.

Founder of The Headies, , said the organisers are committed to ensuring that Nigerian audiences remain part of the experience despite the main ceremony taking place abroad.

According to him, activities in Toronto will be linked to events in Lagos through a live watch programme, allowing fans in Nigeria to participate in the celebration in real time.

Animashaun also revealed plans for the inaugural Trade and Investment Summit, which will run alongside the awards ceremony. He said the initiative is aimed at creating opportunities for collaboration, investment and capacity development within Nigeria’s growing creative sector.

Organisers explained that the summit will bring together investors, policymakers, business executives and entertainment professionals to explore ways of strengthening the creative economy and encouraging long-term industry growth.

Speaking at the event, , Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, highlighted the increasing influence of Nigerian music on the global stage.

He noted that Canada has witnessed a growing number of Nigerian artistes performing and engaging audiences in recent years, describing it as evidence of the expanding international appeal of Nigerian talent.

Animashaun also addressed concerns raised during the previous edition of the awards, where some winners did not receive their plaques at the ceremony. He attributed the issue to challenges encountered after the organisation changed suppliers and received products that failed to meet expected standards.

The event featured discussions on the global rise of Afrobeats, with participants examining the genre’s cultural significance and economic potential beyond Africa. Musicians, actors, broadcasters and other stakeholders from Nigeria’s entertainment industry attended the gathering.

The Headies first took the awards ceremony outside Nigeria in 2022 when it was hosted in . The event returned to the same city in 2023 before moving back to for its 17th edition.

Organisers said the move to Toronto is part of efforts to expand the global footprint of the awards while maintaining strong engagement with audiences and stakeholders in Nigeria.