The founder of The Headies Awards, Ayo Animashaun, has taken a swipe at Nigerian artistes who eagerly submit their music to foreign award bodies but allegedly ignore Nigeria’s biggest music awards, only to complain when they miss out on nominations.
Animashaun expressed his frustration in a post on his Instagram Story, questioning what he described as a double standard among some musicians who proudly announce their submissions to international awards but fail to enter The Headies.
“Tom, Dick and Harry will submit entries to foreign award bodies that don’t even care about them and proudly post about it. But these same people won’t submit their entries to the Headies, yet they’ll complain about not being nominated. Funny,” he wrote.
His comments come amid discussions surrounding submissions for the 2027 Grammy Awards, with several Nigerian stars reportedly seeking recognition on the international stage. The remarks have reignited debate over whether local artistes give enough support to Nigerian award platforms while pursuing global recognition.
Animashaun also questioned why international artistes can skip or boycott major award ceremonies without attracting the same level of criticism Nigerian musicians face when they miss The Headies. He argued that the negativity directed at homegrown institutions raises concerns about how the Nigerian entertainment industry values its own platforms.
However, the debate comes at a sensitive time for The Headies. Organisers recently postponed the 18th edition of the awards, originally scheduled for October 2026, to April 10 and 11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada. The announcement has also drawn attention to the award show’s direction and its relationship with Nigerian artistes and fans.
While international awards such as the Grammys offer global visibility, The Headies remains an important platform for celebrating achievements in Nigerian and African music. Animashaun’s message has therefore raised a bigger question about the responsibility of artistes to support local institutions that recognise their work.
Still, some fans may argue that award organisers must also earn the confidence of musicians through credibility, transparency and consistent delivery.
The controversy has left fans debating both sides: should Nigerian artistes prioritise local awards, or should they simply pursue whichever platform best recognises their music?
What do you think? Should Nigerian musicians support The Headies before chasing foreign awards?
