OAP Dotun, also known as Do2dtun or Energy Gad, and Headies founder Ayo Animashaun traded sharp posts on X on Thursday, 15 October 2026, over taking The Headies outside Nigeria. The thread later turned personal when Animashaun alleged Dotun had asked for US visa help linked to the awards. Dotun rejected that framing.
As of 11:15 PM WAT on Thursday, 15 October 2026, both men had posted publicly on X. Treat Animashaun’s visa claim and Dotun’s denial as competing accounts. Neither side has released private messages in this trail.
How the spat started
Dotun opened with a short post that drew heavy traffic by early afternoon WAT.
“Have you ever seen them take the Grammys out of America before ? Let’s start there,” he wrote.
As of the evening check, that post showed about 156,000 views, more than 6,100 likes, over 120 replies, about 48 quotes and more than 640 reposts.
Animashaun’s visa allegation
Later on Thursday, Animashaun answered the criticism by alleging a private ask.
In one post he wrote that Dotun criticises The Headies for going abroad, yet “slide into my DM asking me 2 help U attend Bcuz U want a visa,” and asked whether the issue was really about The Headies or personal interest.
In a follow-up reply he asked: “Are you sure this has nothing to do with the fact that I couldn’t help when you asked me to help you secure visa to the US using The Headies as an excuse because I don’t get it, you have my number, you can ask me questions directly.”
He also wrote that nothing stops anyone from starting their own awards “in Iyana Ipaja or Ajangbadi,” and that The Headies do not hold exclusive rights to organise a music awards show.
These are Animashaun’s claims about a private conversation. They are not independently verified in public messages shown in this trail. Label the visa ask UNVERIFIED beyond his own posts.
Dotun’s reply
Dotun answered that he has long travelled to the United States and that his daughters were born there.
“I have always travelled to the United States. Had my two beautiful girls there. So maybe you don’t get the jerk, it was never for visa but for justice,” he wrote, adding that Animashaun’s post showed how access was being used as power.
In a later quote he challenged Animashaun to name anyone who slid into his DM for a visa, said he had attended and supported Nigerian editions, and wrote that respect was “off the table” until Animashaun “come out clean.”
He also argued that The Headies “is not about you. It’s for the culture,” and that criticism comes with operating in a lucrative, contested market.
What remains open
As of 11:15 PM WAT, neither man had posted a full screenshot thread of the alleged DM in the posts checked for this draft. Animashaun’s Instagram stories earlier on Thursday, which criticised artistes who chase foreign awards but skip Headies entries, sit in the same day’s Headies debate. For more awards and industry updates, see our [INTERNAL LINK: https://naijahousegist.com/category/entertainment-news/] entertainment news page and [INTERNAL LINK: https://naijahousegist.com/the-headies-postpone-18th-edition-toronto-finale-to-april-10-11-2027/] Headies Toronto postpone report.
Watch both X accounts for any fresh statement, DM evidence, or climb-down. The next hard fact is a clear confirmation or withdrawal of the visa claim from either side.