Davido Claims Top Honors at Rescheduled 2025 Headies Awards in Lagos

Nigerian music star Davido emerged as the biggest winner at the 2025 Headies Awards, securing both Artiste of the Year and Digital Artiste of the Year during Sunday’s ceremony in Lagos.

The event, held April 27 at the Eko Convention Centre, marked the 17th edition of the annual music awards, recognizing achievements across Afrobeats and related genres.

Hosted by actress Nancy Isime, the night carried emotional weight as late singer Mohbad posthumously won Best Street-Hop Artiste for his 2023 hit Ask About Me, accepted by his collaborators. The ceremony also honored Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, media executive Alex Okosi, and sports administrator Amaju Pinnick with Special Recognition Awards for their contributions to Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

Organizers announced an unusual scheduling shift, confirming the 18th Headies will occur in December 2025 to compensate for skipping a 2024 edition. The decision, described as a recalibration effort, drew mixed reactions from attendees but underscores efforts to maintain the awards’ relevance amid industry growth.

Rema’s HEIS won Afrobeats Album of the Year, while Asake’s Lonely at the Top claimed Song of the Year. Breakout acts like Odumodublvck (Next Rated) and Shallipopi (Best Rap Single) highlighted the genre’s expanding diversity, with Tanzania’s Juma Jux and DR Congo’s Innoss’B earning regional artiste honors. Tems continued her critical acclaim streak, taking Best Recording for Burning, and Flavour’s Big Baller won Afrobeats Single of the Year.

The 2025 Headies underscored Afrobeats’ dual embrace of legacy and evolution. Tributes to Mohbad reflected the industry’s reckoning with artist welfare, while Davido’s dominance coupled with streaming-focused categories signaled adaptation to digital consumption trends.

December’s accelerated follow-up edition may test organizer capacity, but the inclusion of pan-African winners and diaspora-linked voters (via the Viewers’ Choice award) suggests a deliberate push toward globalized appeal. With Nigeria’s sound increasingly shaping international charts, the Headies’ balancing act between local prestige and worldwide reach remains central to its identity.