Just like diasporans seeking to explore the world first, just to later retrace their steps, Sunday, April 27, 2025, marked a glorious evening as the Headies Awards returned home to Nigeria for its 17th edition, held at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos.

Anchored by the dazzling Nollywood actor Nancy Isime, the event showcased not only the nation’s vibrant music scene but also prominent personalities, eye-catching projects, and moments that resonated deeply with audiences. The Headies Awards 2025 reminded all of its heritage—a music-based gathering strictly Nigeria-made.

Highlights went beyond the music, though. It underscored Nigeria’s leadership in entertainment, innovation, and humanitarian efforts. The Special Recognition Awards, recognising nominees like Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, Amaju Pinnick, and Kcee, brought to light the remarkable contributions of Nigerians across various industries.

Each honoree stood as a symbol of the country’s drive for excellence, no doubt.

ALSO READ: After two editions in the U.S., the Headies Awards head back home to Nigeria

What was clear yesterday evening was the global appeal of the Headies becoming more evident, especially when backing from the United States Consulate in Nigeria has been thrown in the mix.

In the East African Artiste category, Tanzania’s Juma Jux clinched the award, while Congo’s Innoss’B won Best Central African Artiste. Their recognition highlights the unifying power of music that transcends borders and cultures.

Nancy Isime’s magnetic presence as host was complemented by the visual brilliance of the Landmark Events Centre. The stage design, lighting, and ambience set the tone for a night to remember.

Celebrities, music executives, and influencers arrived in stunning outfits, making bold fashion statements that stole the spotlight on the red carpet. Now, indoors at Landmark, then came the winners’ list.

Fresh from winning her second Grammy Award ever, Tems took home Best Recording of the Year for her emotionally charged song Burning, while Rema’s Heis earned him Afrobeats Album of the Year.

The Next Rated award went to Odumodublvck, affirming his rising star status in the industry. Other highlights included Qing Madi’s win for Songwriter of the Year and Zerrydl’s recognition as Rookie of the Year, proving that the future of Nigerian music is brighter than ever.

Special categories like Best Movie Soundtrack cannot be ignored before showing the full winners’ list – the particular award had gone to the 2023 crime comedy, A Tribe Called Judah, produced by the actress Funke Akindele.

A Tribe Called Judah, which received global ratings and made substantial earnings, was being rewarded for its obvious intersection of music and storytelling, while Director Pink earned Music Video of the Year for his visually stunning work on Egwu. Now, to the award winners in detail, starting with a recent Grammys recipient.

Best Recording of the Year

Tems – Burning (Winner)
Burna Boy – Higher
Ayra Starr & Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Sarz feat. Lojay – Billions

Producer of the Year

Sarz – Happiness
London – Ozeba (Winner)
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern

Next Rated

Qing Madi
Shallipopi
Odumodublvck (Winner)
Ayo Maff
Nasboi

Afrobeats Album of the Year

Stubborn – Victony
Work of Art – Asake
The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr
Heis – Rema (Winner)
Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Songwriter of the Year

Simi – Stranger
Qing Madi – Vision (Winner)
Llona – Can’t Breathe
Bloody Civilian – Family Meeting
Wizard Chan – Stages of Life

Rookie of the Year

Llona
Kaestyle
Taves
Zerrydl (Winner)

Best Rap Single

Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast (Winner)
Odumodublvck feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Blood on the Dance Floor
Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo – Hallelujah
Magnito – Canada
Jeriq – Ije Nwoke

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done (Winner)
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Music Video of the Year

Rema – Charm (Dir. Perliks & Folarin Oludare)
Jyde Ajala – Metaverse
Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine – Like Ice Spice
Mattmax – Ojapiano
Director Pink – Egwu (Winner)
TG Omori – Showa
Dammy Twitch – Na Money

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – Dealer
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck (Winner)
Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
Mohbad – Ask About Me — Winner

Afrobeats Single of the Year

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
Kizz Daniel – Twe Twe Remix
Chike feat. Mohbad – Egwu
Asake – Remember
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Flavour – Big Baller (Winner)

Viewers’ Choice Award

Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Big Big Things
Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido – Ogechi Remix
Chike & Mohbad – Egwu (Winner)
Rema – Ozeba
Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Kizz Daniel – Showa
Tems – Love Me Jeje
Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck – Cast
Flavour feat. Fireboy – Dealer
Flavour – Big Baller

Digital Artiste of the Year

Ayra Starr
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Davido (Winner)
Kizz Daniel
Asake

Song of the Year

Showa – Kizz Daniel
Commas – Ayra Starr
Egwu – Chike and Mohbad
Lonely at the Top – Asake (Winner)
Ozeba – Rema
Big Baller – Flavour

Best Vocal Performance Male

Lojay — Billions (Winner)

Best Movie Soundtrack

A Tribe Called Judah (Winner)

Special Recognition Awards

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor
Alex Okosi
Amaju Pinnick
Kcee (Winner)

Humanitarian Awards

Temitola Adekunle Johnson
Mitchell Mukoro

Best East African Artiste

Bien (Kenya)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Juma Jux (Tanzania) – Winner
Bruce Melodie (Rwanda)
Azawi (Uganda)

Best Central African Artiste

Innoss’B (DRC) – Winner
Gaz Mawete (DRC)
Emma’A (Gabon)
Eboloko (Gabon)
Singuila (Central African Republic)
Kocee (Cameroon)

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.