Rising star, Fola has emerged as the leading nominee for the 18th Headies Awards, securing 10 nominations across major categories.

Omah Lay follows with eight nods, while Mavo and Wizkid each received seven.

The full list of nominees was released on Tuesday, setting the stage for the ceremony scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, in October 2026. The awards, themed “Africa to the World,” will celebrate music released between August 2024 and April 2026.

Fola’s strong showing includes nominations for Album of the Year for his debut project *Catharsis*, Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Next Rated, and several single categories. Omah Lay earned recognition for his album *Clarity of Mind* and collaborative work, including “With You” with Davido.

Wizkid is nominated in key categories such as Best Male Artiste and Afrobeats Album of the Year for *Morayo*, while Mavo also features prominently among both established and emerging acts. Other notable nominees include Davido, Asake, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage.

The Next Rated category, which often highlights breakthrough talent, features Fola, Mavo, Fido, Llona and Shoday. The nominations reflect a mix of established Afrobeats heavyweights and a new generation of artists making their mark on the Nigerian music scene.