The 17th Headies Award was held on April 27, 2025, and it wasn’t without what has now become a typical technical and professional failure.

I had the privilege of attending the ceremony and seeing these failures in person. However, I have elected to shake off the temptation of diving into the details of these recurring shortcomings because let us face it, there’s nothing new to say.

Tems won the award for “Best Recording Of The Year” for Burning at the #17thheadies 🏆

Her gorgeous mom & Seyi Sodimu accept the award on her behalf ! pic.twitter.com/c1TU2ZKYEb

— tems 𝖘z𝖓 (@temsszn) April 27, 2025

Perhaps the travesty of having the mother of Nigerian global star Tems present an award that her daughter won. There’s also the utter lack of professionalism from the several, I dare say, undeserving personalities who presented awards. Or the inexplicable 5 – 10 minute pause that punctuated every agenda.

For the most part, it was a case of predictable failures that the Headies organisers seem incapable of fixing, and an industry that appears to be settling for what is now the new order.

Or how else should one interpret the words of one of the night’s presenters movie star Kunle Afolayan who compared the Headies Awards to a child that must be loved by the parent comes what may.

His position isn’t without reason. It’s likely inspired by patriotism for the Nigerian cause and maybe a resignation that just won’t get better.

When I consider the excellence Mr. Afolayan has shown in his works as a filmmaker, I wonder if he would tolerate a similar level of mediocrity if displayed by the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award, which is the leading prize for movies.

So while I might not agree entirely with the somewhat defeatist remarks of Kunle Afolayan, I appreciate the fact that Headies Award represents a lot to Nigerians who need to find ways to support the organisers while demanding for better performance.

It’s this call for better performance that will form the basis of this write-up.

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What The Headies Must Do To Regain its Status As A Prestigious Award Ceremony

After another poor outing at the 17th Headies where there’s yet to be a full list of winners hours after the ceremony, where there was a shortage of plaques, presenters incapable of handling the task they were saddled with, and disinterested artists performing to a tired audience (the show started past 11 PM and ran into 4 AM), the Academy’s reputation is at an all time low.

Although things look really bad for the award ceremony, the situation can be remedied. Here’s how.

It’s time for the old guard to go

I will keep it a buck. The old guard who has so far taken the Headies Academy this far has lost the command of the stakeholders at the forefront of the industry and is doing itself no favours in retaining the patronage of those who still reckon with the award.

There simply needs to be an overhaul in approach and this cannot be limited to the delectable designs of Landmark Event Centre or the applaudible pre-award summits that brought together professionals within the industry.

A new order must start from the planning process down to the execution.

The current structure that has resulted in questionable nominations, utterly ridiculous presenters (what’s with the obsession with Big Brother Naija stars, Instagram celebrities, and friends of the brand?), poor production, and general unprofessionalism must be jettisoned for a new one that understands and reflects the yearning of a new generation.

Rebranding isn’t the award ceremony vacationing for two years in Atlanta, or returning to Lagos as a flashy I just got back (IJGB). It’s not putting old wine in new bottles. Rebranding requires an honest overhaul of all the factors responsible for the current outcome.

The Headies Academy needs to go back to the drawing board to analyse where it all went wrong, what it will take to fix it, and identify the private and public partners needed to get the award back on track.

Connect with a new generation

Balancing Capitalism with an Altruistic Vision

The 17th Headies Award was held on April 27, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

The award, which rewards excellence in Nigerian music, had in attendance artists, executives, media personalities, and other celebrities across different areas of the Nigerian entertainment.

One of the night’s performers, Shallipopi, whose hit single ‘Cast’ featuring OdumoduBlvck won the Best Rap Song, has shared a veiled displeasure at the award ceremony.

In a post on his X account, the rapper shared that he will not be attending the subsequent ceremonies.

“The next one if una see me make I bend,” he wrote on his X page hours after the award ceremony.

The rapper’s words are likely motivated by the poor organisation that rocked the ceremony with poor award presentation, unnecessary delay, and a shocking lack of professionalism.

In another post, the Benin City flag bearer shared that he doesn’t even want the award for Best Rap Single, and he would rather the Headies give it to those considered rappers.

Shallipopi, who was also nominated for the Next Rated prize, was one of the biggest stars present at the award ceremony, which has reignited conversation over the poor organisation that has caused the award to lose a lot of prestige.

The 17th Headies tagged “Back To Base” saw the award return to Nigeria after two years in the United States.

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The ceremony saw performances from Next Rated winner OdumoduBlvck, Special Recognition recipient KCEE, Lifetime Achievement recipient Flavour, rising stars Qing Madi and Ayo Maff.

Other stars who performed at the ceremony include Tanzanian singer Juma Jux and DR Congo star Innoss B.

Popular content creator and livestream host, Peller, was reduced to tears during a recent broadcast after alleging that the organisers of the 2025 Headies Awards revoked their invitation for him to livestream the prestigious event at the last minute despite earlier agreements and his extensive preparations.

Peller took to his livestream on April 27, 2025, to share his pain and disappointment in a raw, emotional outburst that has since gone viral.

“I had told lots of people, I put it on my channels and everywhere,” he said during the broadcast. “Now people are talking to me anyhow and saying my glory isn’t enough for the Headies. I’m not happy about this at all.” 

The content creator broke down in tears amid the livestream, alleging that the committee had previously reached out to him asking him to livestream the event, adding that they made a U-turn after he agreed. 

Soon, Peller went from sad to angry, claiming that the award show was against helping him, and even stopped responding to his calls.

“I no send anybody papa, these people don’t help people and they’re very wicked. The people behind it stopped replying and they were the ones who came to me with an invitation to livestream the Headies award, then they started giving me terms and conditions on the day of.  I had prepared for it so much. I called and called.”

“I didn’t get to see the celebrities I wanted to see. I never intended to go there to monetise the stream. I just wanted to livestream for fun, how much would I even get from that. It’s not all about money, let other people achieve their dreams and be part of the journey. I’m so hurt and I’ve never been this hurt like this in my life. I only wanted to be on the red carpet to interview people.”

“How is it even that Tems’ mum was the one who announced the award that she won. Headies has to pay for this! All the money I spent on preparations, you people would pay me back. You people think this is a small thing?”

The organisers of the award show are yet to respond to Peller as of the time of this report.