Homegrown vs. Hollywood: Erigga Ignites Debate on Nigerian's 'Foreign Preference'

 

The long-standing, often uncomfortable conversation about how Nigerians perceive their own cultural products versus those from the West has been thrust back into the spotlight, thanks to a pointed commentary from popular rapper Erigga.

Speaking on a local platform on October 25, 2025, the Warri-born artiste didn't hold back, expressing deep frustration over what he perceives as a national tendency to "prioritize and value foreign artists and international events... over homegrown talent and local achievements."

Erigga's core grievance is that the average Nigerian is quicker to celebrate global validation than local excellence.

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The Headies Relocation: A Symptom, Not the Disease

The most potent example Erigga cited was the controversial relocation of Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards show, The Headies, to the United States. For many, this move was a bitter pill to swallow—a symbolic moment where Nigeria’s largest music event had to seek foreign soil to gain the respect and attention it struggled to command at home.

Erigga sees this as definitive proof of a wider cultural affliction:

"The average Nigerian prefers to show you 300 people wey dey dance for London than to show you 5,000 people attending a concert in Nigeria. We don't regard our own... We attach more value to international events over local achievements."

In his view, the industry is caught in a cycle where foreign recognition is seen as the prerequisite for local respect. An Afrobeats star must first sell out a venue in London or get a shout-out from a Western celebrity before many Nigerians fully embrace their success.

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The Cost of the 'Colonial Mentality'

While a love for global music is natural, the rapper’s comments point to a deeper issue often termed the "colonial mentality" in cultural discourse.

• Undermining Local Infrastructure: When key industry events like The Headies choose to leave, it drains resources, prestige, and visibility from the Nigerian ecosystem. Erigga argues this simply encourages people to keep looking outward.

• A Barometer of Success: This preference sets an unfair and often impossible bar for emerging artists. Their success is measured not by how much they move the needle at home, but by their ability to conquer foreign markets.

• The Global Afrobeats Paradox: This frustration is particularly sharp given Afrobeats’ global explosion. The music is conquering the world, yet the artists who make it still often feel they are fighting for true, unreserved validation from their own people.

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The Call for a Cultural Shift

Erigga's call is a simple one: appreciate your own.

His statement is a plea for Nigerian consumers, media, and industry stakeholders to consciously shift their focus inward. The thriving talent, the large local audiences, and the immense passion are all there. What’s missing, he suggests, is a collective belief that domestic success is, in itself, the ultimate measure of worth.

As Afrobeats continues its global march, perhaps it's time for Nigerians to lead the charge in celebrating their stars right here, making the world chase their market, rather than constantly chasing the approval of the world.