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The 2025 Headies Awards may have come and gone, but the surprises and conversations it sparked are still buzzing across social media.
As always, Nigeria’s biggest music night delivered its fair share of thrilling wins, emotional moments, and eyebrow-raising surprises. From unexpected category upsets to moving tributes and controversial posthumous honors, this year’s edition was anything but predictable. Fans took to X, Instagram, and TikTok to share hot takes, celebrate their faves, and call out what they saw as snubs and industry gimmicks.
Here’s a rundown of the major surprises that got everyone talking at the 2025 Headies Awards.
Mohbad’s 4 posthumous wins: Tribute or Opportunism?
One of the most surprising and emotionally charged moments at the 17th Headies Awards was the late Mohbad sweeping 4 awards, making him the most awarded artist of the evening. These awards are: Best Street-Hop Artiste for Ask About Me, Best Collaboration for "Egwu" with Chike, Viewer's Choice, and Afrobeats Single of the Year. While some saw this as a fitting tribute to a young talent gone too soon, others viewed it as an opportunistic move by the industry that once ignored him.
Everyone saying if his alive they wouldn’t have given him you maybe right because that how things work round the world toni kross won German player of the year because he retired. it just an honour to them
— only1marny (@zharmarny1) April 29, 2025Social media exploded in the aftermath. Many fans celebrated the recognition, with one declaring, “Everyone saying if his alive they wouldn’t have given him you maybe right because that how things work round the world toni kross won German player of the year because he retired. it just an honour to them.” Yet, beneath the celebration was a wave of skepticism. One X user bluntly asked, “When una start dey give sympathy awards. This headies dey funny me.”
When una start dey give sympathy awards. This headies dey funny me
— Demion (@Demion4rmChina) April 28, 2025The online debate reflected a painful truth about the Nigerian music industry’s tendency to honor its stars posthumously, sparking a broader conversation about recognition and timing. Some argued that one or two awards would have sufficed to honour his memory, while the excess felt like a performative gesture rather than genuine acknowledgment.
Adding fuel to the conversation, popular entertainer Carter Efe publicly called out the organizers. In his viral video, he criticized the Headies for what he described as clout-chasing, questioning why Mohbad was overlooked during his lifetime only to be celebrated in death. “When the boy dey alive, una no give am o. Anything for the clout na him dem dey do now,” he said.
“Why did Headies nominate Mohbad for Best Street Hop artiste? But when the boy was alive they didn’t give him the award.”
- Carterefe pic.twitter.com/s8g3VWoCcT
(@Olamide0fficial) April 28, 2025
The ceremony included a moving tribute segment, with a montage of Mohbad’s music videos and a solemn narration reflecting on his life and impact. While it resonated emotionally with many viewers, it did little to quiet the critics who felt the awards came too late.
Fan reactions were divided. Some found solace in seeing Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi, accept the awards with grace, refusing to address him as her “late husband” and reaffirming his eternal presence through their son, Liam. Her heartfelt words struck a chord with many, offering a personal, human moment amidst the larger controversy.
In a heartwarming tribute to his legacy, the late Mohbad was posthumously awarded Best Street Hop Artiste at The Headies Awards. pic.twitter.com/UgBX1zN6PB
— OVA TV MEDIA (@officialovatv) April 28, 2025Yet, for a significant section of the audience, the night served as a reminder of how often the industry overlooks its talents until it’s too late. Tweets like “Y’all fake love for the dead dey amaze me” and “Why didn’t you guys give it to him when he was alive?” captured this sentiment perfectly.
He dey alive una no even nominate him . Y’all fake love for the dead dey amaze me
— Ben (@BenRmc_) April 28, 2025Headies nominating Mohbad after his death is obviously something they did out of pity
Why didn’t you guys give it to him when he was alive?? He had a good run on the street but you ignored till he was unal!ved…f**k y’all responsible for that
resh 
illi (@presh_milli3) April 28, 2025
In the end, Mohbad’s posthumous wins left a bittersweet aftertaste. It was a night where a star was finally celebrated, but not without the lingering question of whether the honor would have come if he were still alive.
Odumodublvck’s Next Rated surprise: Too soon of late?
Another surprising moment of the night was Odumodublvck winning the Next Rated Artist award. Known for his gritty street-hop sound and powerful storytelling, Odumodublvck has long been seen as an artist who has outgrown the “Next Rated” category. His prominence in the Nigerian music scene has been undeniable, with chart-topping hits and collaborations with A-list artists.
Many fans and critics alike were puzzled by the decision, with some arguing that Odumodublvck has already reached the level of established stars, making him an unlikely candidate for a category typically reserved for rising talents. Fans suggest that the category should be reserved for uo-and-coming artists like Ayo Maff, Shoday, FOLA feeling they had a better claim to the Next Rated award.
I thought we agreed that @Odumodublvck_ will leave that headies Award for me 
Bros no be so ooo 
but no yawa sha. MAFFIANS we move 
I have something for y’all soon 
(@AyoMaff) April 28, 2025
Adding to the drama, fellow nominee Ayo Maff took to social media with a lighthearted jab and a promise to his fans: “I thought we agreed that @Odumodublvck_ will leave that Headies Award for me, Bros no be so oo. but no yawa sha. MAFFIANS we move I have something for y’all soon.”
Meanwhile, in the middle of his acceptance speech, Odumodublvck’s microphone was abruptly cut, a moment that instantly went viral. He later explained it in a post-award interview, stating, “Dem no wan hear wetin I wan talk. They cut my mic because I was about to say what’s on everyone’s mind.” This only fueled more online chatter about possible tensions between the artist and organizers.
I WAS TALKING ABOUT JESUS AND THEY TRIED TO SHUT ME DOWN.
I AM HUNDRED PERCENT SURE THAT IF I WAS TALKING ABOUT HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR BABAJIDE SANWO- OLU I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CUT OFF.
I GENUINELY HAVE NO BAD BLOOD TOWARDS THE HEADIES,
RATHER, I AM GRATEFUL THEY PUT MY MIC…
(@Odumodublvck_) April 29, 2025
Shallipopi’s award snub and bold clapback
E reach Shallipoppi turn to win The Headies Award, plaque finish, na handshake Plutomania collect 
pic.twitter.com/QggeYQ0379
One of the biggest surprises at the 2025 Headies Awards came when Shallipopi, one of Nigeria’s most talked-about street-pop stars, was called up to receive the Best Rap Single award for his hit track Cast featuring Odumodublvck, but instead of the coveted Headies plaque, he was met with nothing more than a handshake. The awkward moment left fans both confused and outraged, as video clips of the incident quickly spread across social media.
While Shallipopi managed to keep his cool on stage, thanking his fans with a brief speech, he wasted no time addressing the snub online. Taking to X shortly after the event, the Edo-born star expressed his frustration in a series of blunt tweets. In one, he wrote, “Mtchewww,” and later added, “I nor go even lie for una sef, I nor want that award, give the real rappers wey dey the category. Me, Shallipopi, I nor be rapper.”
His reaction struck a nerve with fans and industry observers alike, as many questioned why he was nominated in a rap category in the first place.
Shallipopi’s handshake and public clapback became one of the most talked-about moments of the night, turning what should have been a career highlight into a sharp commentary on genre categorization, industry politics, and award show credibility.
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