“Value Home Before the World”: Ayo Animashaun Calls Out Nigerian Musicians Over International Award Obsession

The founder of Nigeria’s premier music award platform, The Headies, Ayo Animashaun, has publicly criticized Nigerian music stars who eagerly submit their projects for consideration to international award bodies while neglecting local platforms.

In a series of posts shared via his official Instagram Story, the veteran media executive expressed frustration over the growing trend of home-grown artists celebrating foreign recognition while disregarding the domestic institutions that supported their early careers.

Animashaun pointed out the contradiction in artists complaining about being excluded from local award nominations after deliberately refusing to go through the required submission process.

“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,” Animashaun posted.

The sharp critique comes amidst news that several leading Afrobeats acts—including Davido, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, and Victony—have submitted entries for consideration in multiple categories for the upcoming 2027 Grammy Awards.

Meanwhile, the organizers of The Headies recently announced the postponement of the 18th edition of the awards ceremony, moving the event from its original October 23, 2026 date to April 10 and 11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada.

According to the organizers, the extended timeline is designed to facilitate broader international programming, including trade summits, industry workshops, and cross-cultural music engagements spanning Nigeria and Canada.