Over its nearly 20-year history, the Headies have developed into Nigeria’s most well-known music accolade, helping to promote and celebrate the country’s musical heritage.
The Headies Academy declared last week that the award would be coming back to Nigeria following its two consecutive trips to Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Ayo Animashaun, the executive producer of the Headies, stated in an interview with Arise News that the desire of Nigerians to have the event held there again drove the decision to bring the award show back to their nation.
“I came to realize that you have to pay attention to the people you are serving when making a sacrifice for them rather than for yourself. They expressed a desire to receive the honors at home, Animashaun revealed to Arise News.
He continued by saying that the choice to bring the prizes to Atlanta, Georgia, prevented them from facing certain death.
“This award would have died if we hadn’t taken it out of Nigeria,” Animashaun revealed, explaining why the 15th and 16th editions were hosted in the US.
Ayo Animashaun revealed in the interview that the US embassy in Nigeria had provided the Headies with the most assistance over the last two years, hosting parties for them and granting visas to Nigerians so they could attend the event.
He emphasized that the choice to take the concert outside of Nigeria was influenced in part by the backing of the US embassy.
Animashaun urged the Nigerian government to sponsor the award event as the Headies make their 17th visit to Nigeria.