First Bank partners Headies awards to celebrate creativity, innovation in music
Orisemeke Benjamin
FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider through its First@Arts initiative has partnered with the Headies Awards for its 17th edition of Nigeria’s foremost music awards show.
This collaboration underscores FirstBank’s commitment to support creative talents and SMEs within the creative industry, thus providing them with the platform for international acclaim and recognition.
The Headies Awards is Nigeria’s leading music awards show celebrating top talents in Nigeria and African music while providing a major platform for both upcoming and established artists. Since its inception in 2006, the Headies has consistently spotlighted the best in Nigerian and African music, attracting millions of viewers annually and providing a powerful platform for upcoming and established artists. After two successful editions in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the Headies returns to its roots in Nigeria. This year’s ceremony is scheduled to take place at the iconic Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on April 27, 2025. In a landmark development for this year’s edition, FirstBank has been announced as the first financial institution to partner with The Headies. This historic and pioneering collaboration underscores FirstBank’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian creative industry while reinforcing its brand values of innovation, excellence and cultural empowerment.
According to Ag. Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, “We are thrilled to partner with the Headies Awards, an amazing platform that celebrates the very best of Nigerian and African music. At FirstBank, we believe in supporting arts and creativity and this partnership is a perfect embodiment of our commitment. The Headies Awards aligns with our First@arts initiative which supports the entire creative arts value chain – including performing arts, visual arts, and music, reflecting the bank’s commitment to nurturing talents, promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, driving national growth, and unlocking business opportunities in the creative arts sector”.
Over the years, the Headies Awards has played a significant role in elevating Afrobeats on the global stage. By celebrating the rich diversity of African music and fostering the genre, the Headies has established itself as the benchmark for Afrobeats excellence, recognizing and rewarding artistic ingenuity. This year’s edition promises to be unforgettable, with a week-long celebration of the entertainment industry’s growth and artistic creativity, culminating in the awards ceremony on April 27, 2025. Attendees have already started enjoying a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, panel discussions, performances, and networking opportunities that showcase the vibrant growth of Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment industry.
The founder of The Headies , Ayo Animashauns tated “The Headies Awards have been instrumental in promoting and celebrating Afrobeats, providing a platform for artists to gain recognition and break into the global market. The Headies inspire artistes to push creative boundaries, fostering a spirit of innovation that ultimately enriches the genre, individual artists, and the nation as a whole. We are excited about the partnership with FirstBank, a milestone collaboration that will undoubtedly elevate this year’s event and further solidify Afrobeats’ position as a dominant force in the global music landscape”
