Return to Base: Homecoming in Lagos
After two consecutive years staging the ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, The Headies made a celebrated comeback to Lagos on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The event brought Africa’s biggest music stars back to Nigerian soil at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island. Under the twin banners “Back to Base” and “Unapologetically African,” the ceremony aimed to reaffirm its roots by spotlighting the diversity and dynamism of the continent’s music scene.
New Categories and Expanded Recognition
Building on its legacy, the 17th Headies introduced two fresh awards: Soundtrack of the Year and Best Performer (Live). These new categories were designed to honour artists’ contributions beyond recorded tracks, acknowledging cinematic scoring and on stage prowess. This expansion underscored the organisers’ commitment to broadening recognition across different facets of creative expression.
Technical Glitches and an Abrupt Finale
Despite the high anticipation, the ceremony faced significant delays and technical difficulties. According to multiple reports, the red carpet start ran late, and poor time management forced organisers to cut the programme short. Several major awards including Best R&B Single, Best Collaboration, Lyricist on the Roll, Best Rap Album, Best Inspirational Single, and even Best Performer (Live) were left unannounced by 3:32 AM WAT. Attendees and online viewers expressed frustration as the night ended abruptly, prompting calls for better logistics in future editions.
Ceremony Highlights and Performances
The evening featured dynamic performances celebrating both veteran stars and rising talents. Tanzanian singer Juma Jux delivered a memorable live set alongside his wife Priscilla, electrifying the crowd and later taking home Best East African Artiste. Nigerian icons such as Burna Boy, Asake, Simi, Tems, and Shallipopi also graced the stage, showcasing the breadth of Afrobeats, street-hop, and R&B.
A poignant moment occurred when Mohbad’s widow Wunmi and young son Liam accepted the Best Street Hop Artiste award on his behalf. The emotional tribute reverberated across social media.
Rema’s Dominance in Nominations
Ahead of the ceremony, Rema led the pack with nine nominations, reflecting his prolific output and influence during the eligibility window from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. His body of work, including the Afrobeats album HEIS and hit singles like Ozeba, positioned him as a frontrunner, although strong competition came from Tems, Davido, and Liya.
Major Winners at The 17th Headies
Despite the event’s abrupt ending, several headline awards were presented:
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Artiste of the Year: Davido
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Album of the Year: HEIS – Rema
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Song of the Year: Lonely at the Top – Asake
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Best Recording of the Year: Tems – Burning
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Best Vocal Performance (Male): Lojay – Billions
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Best Vocal Performance (Female): Liya – I’m Done
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Next Rated: Odumodublvck
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Rookie of the Year: Zerry DL
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Best Collaboration: Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
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Music Video of the Year: Egwu (Directed by Pink)
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Afrobeats Single of the Year: Big Baller – Flavour
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Afrobeats Album of the Year: HEIS – Rema
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Producer of the Year: London – Ozeba
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Digital Artiste of the Year: Davido
Special Recognitions and Humanitarian Awards
The Headies also honoured key figures for their contributions to culture and philanthropy. Special Recognition Awards were presented to Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ViacomCBS executive Alex Okosi, sports administrator Amaju Pinnick, and veteran artist Kcee. The Humanitarian Awards went to Temitola Adekunle Johnson and Michelle Mukoro (King Mitchy) for their impactful social work.
Social Media Reaction and Controversy
Across platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok, the ceremony sparked a storm of commentary. Fans celebrated Davido’s Artiste of the Year win and Asake’s Song of the Year triumph, while tributes poured in for Mohbad’s legacy. However, frustration over the unscheduled awards led to debates about professionalism, with some fans calling for refunds or formal apologies from organisers.
Looking Ahead: Stakes for 2026
Despite the glitches, the 17th Headies reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a global music powerhouse. Stakeholders are now calling for:
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Stricter time management protocols to prevent abrupt endings
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Transparent communication on unannounced awards
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Expanded broadcast partnerships to better serve both local and diaspora audiences
As conversations continue, all eyes are on The Headies’ executive team to ensure the 18th edition delivers a smoother, fully celebratory experience that honours every artist, every winner, and every musical innovation from Back to Base to worldwide acclaim.
