The 17th Headies Awards, held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lekki and themed “Back to Base,” showed that Nigeria’s music industry is still one of our strongest exports to the world. Despite some criticisms around organization and production quality, bringing the Headies back to Nigeria was a smart and important move.
It proved that Nigerian entertainment doesn’t have to chase global validation by always hosting events abroad. Instead, we can build world-class experiences right here at home — and use them to grow our economy, create jobs, and even spark innovation in technology.
I believe that with the right plan, the Headies can become a billion-naira business within the next five years. Here’s how:
Year 1 (2025): Strengthen the Foundation
The first thing the Headies must do is fix all the basic problems that fans have complained about — like poor timing, technical glitches, and long boring speeches. The show must be fast, sharp, and professional.
Next, the organizers should work with top Nigerian tech brands like Flutterwave, Paystack, MTN, and Boomplay. These companies can help with secure ticketing, better live streaming, and event promotions.
Finally, they must create a simple, strong mobile app for voting and fan engagement. Fans should be able to vote easily, buy tickets, and even win prizes — all from their phones.
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Year 2 (2026): Grow with Technology
Once the foundation is strong, the Headies must take technology seriously.
They should partner with big platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime, or even Netflix to stream the event worldwide in HD quality.
Also, it’s time for the Headies to explore selling NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Imagine fans buying digital collectibles of special Headies moments or owning unique digital passes to the event — it’s a new way to make money.
They should also introduce blockchain-based tickets, which are harder to fake and can reward loyal fans with points or discounts.
Year 3 (2027): Build a Community
By the third year, it won’t just be about the event anymore — it must become a community.
The Headies should create a Headies Academy, where young talents (artists, producers, managers) are trained for free or at low cost. This helps build loyalty and ensures the future of the music industry.
They should also monetize behind-the-scenes content. Fans love to see what happens backstage, how artists prepare, and even their funny moments. These can be shared on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and even through paid newsletters.
The Headies can also try AI and VR technology, allowing fans to experience the show through virtual reality headsets or play with AR filters on their phones.
Year 4 (2028): Expand Across Africa
By 2028, the Headies should no longer be just a Nigerian event — it should be Africa’s biggest music celebration.
They can organize mini-Headies events in cities like Nairobi, Accra, and Johannesburg. This will make the brand stronger and more respected across the continent.
At this stage, they should also attract global brands like Pepsi, Puma, or Spotify to sponsor the awards heavily. These brands love to associate with African youth culture because it is vibrant, fresh, and growing fast.
They can also start selling data about audience behaviors and music trends to companies looking to understand African consumers.
Year 5 (2029): Build a Media Empire
Finally, by 2029, the Headies should package all its activities — awards, shows, streaming, training, tech tools — into one powerful company: Headies Media Group.
This new company can either raise large investments from venture capitalists or even prepare for a public listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX).
At that point, it is possible for the Headies brand to be valued at over ₦10 billion, based on its assets, popularity, and revenue streams.
In Conclusion
Bringing the Headies back home this year was the right first step. But if the organizers want the event to truly fulfill its potential, they must be bold and forward-thinking.
They must invest in better organization, smarter technology, youth empowerment, and international expansion.
The Headies already has the culture, the music, and the attention of millions of fans. With the right moves, it can become one of Africa’s biggest media empires — and a true billion-naira success story.
By Daniji Emmanuel
Content Writer, StartupsVibes | Host, Insight With StartupsVibes Podcast
By Daniji Emmanuel
Editor, StartupsVibes | Host, Insight With StartupsVibes Podcast
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