The Headies has partnered with travel technology company Wakanow ahead of the 18th edition of the awards in Toronto, strengthening the travel infrastructure supporting the Nigerian music industry’s push onto the global stage.
The partnership comes as The Headies prepares to return to Canada under its “Africa to the World” theme, a move aimed at deepening connections between Africa’s creative industry, the diaspora and international audiences.
With guests, artistes, industry executives and other stakeholders expected to travel to Toronto for the event, the partnership positions travel as an increasingly important part of the business infrastructure behind the international expansion of African entertainment.
Speaking at the The Headies: Road to Toronto reception in Lagos, Ayo Animashaun, founder and chief executive officer of The Headies, said the partnership came at a significant moment for travel links between Nigeria and Canada.
“It is exciting that The Headies is part of this groundbreaking moment, especially with the recent announcement of direct flights between Nigeria and Canada.
“As we take The Headies to Toronto, we are proud to be part of this new chapter and to create a stronger connection between Nigeria’s creative community and Canada,” Animashaun said.
The partnership was highlighted at the Lagos reception when three attendees emerged winners in a special draw for tickets to Toronto.
Adeyinka Adebayo, group executive director at Omnicom Media Group, and Samuel Obafemi Banjomo, senior special assistant to the minister of aviation and aerospace development, received Economy Class tickets, while Dami Adenuga, founder of DAW Empire, received a Business Class ticket.
For Wakanow, the partnership offers an opportunity to position the travel company at the intersection of Africa’s expanding creative economy and the growing movement of artistes, entertainment professionals and cultural audiences across international markets.
Bayo Adedeji, group chief executive officer of Wakanow, said the company was committed to supporting African creatives as their influence expanded globally.
“As the light on our stars goes global and they take their music and culture across continents, it is our job at Wakanow to take them there.
“We are proud to be part of this journey with Mr. Ayo and The Headies team and excited to open the world to our customers and Africa’s creative community,” Adedeji said.
The Headies’ Toronto edition is expected to bring together leading figures from Africa, Canada and the wider diaspora, creating a meeting point for musicians, record executives, brands, media organisations and other stakeholders in the creative economy.
The travel partnership is intended to make participation easier for guests and industry stakeholders travelling to Canada, while reinforcing the broader infrastructure required to support the global movement of African talent and culture.
The return to Toronto forms part of The Headies’ wider “Africa to the World” vision, which seeks to take African music and culture to international audiences while strengthening commercial and cultural connections between the continent and global markets.
For The Headies, the international expansion represents an effort to extend the reach of one of Africa’s most prominent music awards beyond its traditional home market.
The Toronto event will provide another platform for African music to engage with the continent’s growing diaspora audience while opening opportunities for deeper collaboration with international businesses and entertainment stakeholders.
The partnership with Wakanow adds a commercial travel dimension to that ambition.
The 18th Headies will take place in Toronto, Canada, bringing together leading names from Africa, Canada and the wider diaspora for a celebration of African music and culture on the global stage.
