AdminU.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard M. Mills, Jr., has commended Nigerian music stars, noting that the industry has made a significant impact on the international scene.
He also praised the critical role that American streaming platforms, record labels, and U.S. government exchange programs have played in promoting Nigerian music internationally, boosting economic growth, and promoting prosperity for both nations.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAmbassador Mills stated this while delivering his remarks at a pre-award reception hosted by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria in honor of the 17th Headies
The U.S. Mission has hosted a pre-award reception in honor of the Headies, reputed as Nigeria’s biggest and most prestigious music awards show.
The 17th Headies tagged “Back to Base” is set to be held on 27 April 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
Guests, including creative industry leaders and policymakers, nominated artists, alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, representatives of U.S. businesses in Nigeria, and members of the diplomatic corps, attended the reception, highlighting the growing global reach of the Nigerian music industry.
Ambassador Mills explained that taking the Headies to the United States in 2022 and 2023 was a bold step and a recognition of the impact African music has made in the United States and around the world.
“We’ve seen a remarkable rise in the number of Nigerian artists performing at sold-out shows in arenas across the United States and earning recognition at major award shows like the Grammys,” Ambassador Mills said.
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“We are proud to support the Headies as it recognizes those at the top of their game and provides a platform for emerging talent, playing a vital role in growing the economy for both our countries and creating opportunities for millions of people, at the microphone and behind the scenes.”
As Nigerian Afrobeats stars continue to make their mark on the global stage, Executive Producer of the Headies, Ayo Animashaun, noted that there has never been a greater time to be a Nigerian artist. He underscored the important role of international collaborations in cementing Afrobeats’ place in the global music industry.
U.S. creative companies such as Paramount, Apple Music, YouTube, and leading record labels like Universal, Empire, and Atlantic have been at the forefront of partnering with Nigerian producers and artists to share authentic African sounds with audiences around the world.
The U.S. Mission continues to engage with Nigeria’s creative industry leaders and innovators to discuss building a sustainable ecosystem, unlocking access to new markets, and advancing opportunities for two-way trade and investment in the creative sectors.
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In 2024, the U.S. Department of State introduced three new exchange programs for Nigeria’s creative industries that include the American Music Mentorship Program — which is in partnership with the Recording Academy (Grammys).
This exchange program has created unique opportunities for African musicians and industry professionals to engage with the U.S. music scene. In its inaugural year, three Nigerian creatives participated in the program, with one selected following his exchange to lead a regional office in Nigeria for a U.S.-based media group, further strengthening U.S.-Nigeria music industry ties.
