Headies Founder Ayo Animashaun Slams Artists for Snubbing Local Awards

The founder of The Headies Awards, Ayo Animashaun, has criticised Nigerian music artists for submitting entries to international award bodies while failing to participate in local award programmes.

Animashaun expressed frustration that some Nigerian musicians actively seek recognition from foreign awards, despite what he described as a lack of interest in them, but refuse to submit their works for consideration at home.

He also faulted artists who complain about being overlooked by The Headies despite not submitting entries for nomination.

In a post shared on his Instagram Story, Animashaun questioned the attitude of musicians who pursue international recognition while neglecting Nigeria’s major music awards.

“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 reports that several Nigerian artists, including Davido, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake, Burna Boy, Rema and Victony, submitted multiple entries for consideration for nominations at the 2027 Grammy Awards.

The submissions have renewed attention on the growing international profile of Nigerian music and the efforts of local award organisers to attract participation from leading artists.

Meanwhile, organisers of The Headies Awards recently postponed the 18th edition of the ceremony to April 10 and 11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada.

The event was initially scheduled to hold on October 23, 2026.

According to the organisers, the postponement would allow them to expand programmes across Nigeria and Canada, including workshops, seminars, industry engagements and a global trade and investment summit.

Animashaun’s remarks have brought the relationship between international recognition and support for Nigeria’s domestic music industry back into focus, particularly the role artists play in sustaining local award platforms.