“Taking Home To The World,” Says Founder Ayo Animashaun As Headies Heads To Canada

In a historic move that marks a monumental shift in the African entertainment landscape, Nigeria’s premier music awards franchise, The Headies, is set to cross the Atlantic for its next edition in Toronto, Canada.

​Founder and executive producer, Ayo Animashaun, revealed that the decision comes at a time when the continent’s sound is dominating international charts.

“We are taking The Headies to Toronto because African music is now a global force, and the institutions that celebrate it must grow with it,” Animashaun stated.

​Defending the choice of the Canadian metropolis, Animashaun noted that the city provides the necessary corporate and logistical backing to elevate the awards to an international standard.

According to him, “Toronto offers the partnerships, infrastructure, international visibility, and economic support required to deliver The Headies at the scale that African music deserves.”

​The announcement has generated intense debate among local stakeholders, with many questioning the cultural implications of moving a proudly Nigerian institutional brand away from its birthplace.

Addressing these concerns head-on, Animashaun insisted that the heart of the awards will never leave its source, declaring unequivocally, “Lagos will always be home.”

​He emphasized that the event’s identity remains fiercely tied to its country of origin, dismissing fears of cultural flight.

“The Headies was born in Nigeria, built in Nigeria, and its roots remain firmly planted in Nigeria,” Animashaun said. Rather than stripping the local market of its value, he explained that the move is designed to attract international wealth back to the country. “As support and opportunities continue to grow, we look forward to bringing even greater global attention, investment, and opportunities back to our home market.”

​The media mogul further clarified that the international venture should be viewed through the lens of cultural diplomacy rather than abandonment.

“This is not about leaving Nigeria,” he stressed, adding”This is about expanding Nigeria’s cultural footprint, strengthening African institutions, and ensuring that our music, our creators, and our stories continue to command their rightful place on the world stage.”

​Concluding his remarks on the future of the awards, Animashaun offered a definitive perspective on the transition. “

The Headies is not moving away from home. The Headies is taking home to the world,” he affirmed, sealing the vision with the project’s official mantra: “Nigeria Born. Africa Loud. Toronto Proud. Africa to the World.”