Headies Counters Gaise Baba’s Claim of Gospel Music Exclusion

The Headies has dismissed claims that gospel and inspirational artistes are being ignored for its major awards, stating that its records show that faith-based musicians have been nominated for and won mainstream awards on several occasions.

The awards organizers have responded to an open letter by Nigerian gospel singer Gaise Baba who accused the platform of relegating gospel and inspirational music to dedicated categories rather than allowing such artistes to compete for some of its major awards.

Gaise Baba also talked about the Inspirational Music category, saying that although he was nominated for the award introduced in 2024, the winner was not announced publicly and the award was not presented on stage.

The award body dismissed the claims in a statement on its official Instagram page, adding that its historical records show gospel artistes being recognized in its general categories.

But every awards season this claim comes up again and again: “The Headies doesn’t recognize gospel artists. “Inspirational music is locked out of the real categories.” It sounds provocative. It moves fast. But the record says otherwise – and the record is provable,” the organizers said.

The awards body listed the achievements of artistes such as Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo as examples of gospel and inspirational musicians who have successfully competed outside faith-based categories.

Lara George was nominated for the Headies award for Best Female Vocal Performance in 2008 for “Ijoba Orun”, and went on to win in the same category in 2010 for “Keeper of My Dreams”.

Kefee won Best Collaboration in 2010 with Timaya for “Kokoroko”, the organizers said. The song was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Single, Best Female Vocal Performance and Best Music Video .

In 2010, Timi Dakolo also got recognition at The Headies, winning him Recording of the Year for “Heaven Please”, and in 2015, he took home three awards for “Wish Me Well”.

It said Nikki Laoye won the Best Vocal Performance (Female) award in 2013 for “Only You.”

The organizers said the examples showed that gospel and inspirational artistes have not been limited to categories created especially for their genre.

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“Gospel and inspirational artists haven’t just been nominated. The organizers said: “They have won major general categories, against the strongest mainstream competition of their era.
Speaking on criticisms trailing the Inspirational Music category, the awards organizers said the category was introduced in the 15th edition of the Headies in 2022 to create more opportunities for gospel and inspirational artistes, not to alienate them from the larger music industry.

“Best Inspirational Single, which premiered at the 15th Headies in 2022, was not meant to box gospel music. “The Headies stage was designed to ensure inclusion of more gospel and inspirational artistes,” it said.

Kcee and Okwesili Eze Group won the first ever award in 2022 for “Cultural Praise”, the Headies said. The 2023 winner was Neon Adejo with “Eze Ebube” while the 2025 winner was Mercy Chinwo with “You Do This One”.

Other artistes who have been nominated in the category include Dunsin Oyekan, Limoblaze, Tope Alabi and Anendlessocean, the organizers said.

The awards body also said that missing out on the final nominations does not necessarily mean an artiste was deliberately excluded.

It said each category usually receives around 50 eligible entries that are reviewed by the academy before the field is narrowed to about six nominees.

The Headies also responded to criticisms over the awards not being announced or presented at the main televised event.

The number of award categories has increased dramatically, from about 22 in the early years of the event to 35, say the organizers, making it difficult to present every category during the live ceremony.

The awards body stated it uses a category rotation system, which means some awards are not part of the live broadcast at certain editions.

“Inspirational music is included in that rotation. That’s not ignoring. That is how a growing awards platform handles a growing number of categories,” the statement said.

The Headies returns on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada, with the theme “Africa to the World.”