Nigerian artists slammed for shunning local awards, submitting entries for foreign ones

Ayo Animashaun, the founder of The Headies Awards, has criticized Nigerian artists for submitting their work to foreign award ceremonies while avoiding local ones. This behavior, he claims, is hypocritical as these artists complain about not receiving nominations for local events like The Headies. Animashaun posted on Instagram, "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."

Several prominent Nigerian musicians, such as Davido, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake, Burna Boy, Rema, Victony, and many others, have submitted entries for consideration in the 2027 Grammys. However, The Headies Awards organizers recently moved the 18th edition of the award show to April 10 and 11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada. This change was made to allow for more programs to be organized across Nigeria and Canada, including workshops, seminars, industry engagements, and a global trade and investment summit.