Nigerian media personality, Do2dtun, has openly criticized BBNaija star-turned-singer, Whitemoney, over his acceptance speech at the 2025 Headies Awards.
During the event, Whitemoney, while receiving an award on behalf of Flavour, dedicated it specifically to the Igbo people, a move that stirred mixed reactions online.
Taking to his X account on April 28, 2025, Do2dtun described the gesture as unnecessary, suggesting that it framed what should have been a national or African achievement within an ethnic lens.
“’On behalf of the Igbos.’ I am sorry, that was so unnecessary. It didn’t need that type of narrative. It’s an award won by an African; for Afrobeat and a Nigerian,” he wrote, expressing his displeasure over the ethnic undertone of the speech.
The media personality’s comments quickly ignited a wave of responses across social media, splitting public opinion. While some agreed with Do2dtun’s stance, arguing that Whitemoney’s words risked creating divisions by emphasizing ethnicity over national unity, others passionately defended the singer.
Supporters felt that Whitemoney was merely celebrating his cultural roots and the significant contributions of the Igbo people to the success of Afrobeats.
The debate around ethnic pride versus national unity took center stage, with users flooding Do2dtun’s comment section to either criticize or applaud his position.
Doubling down on his views, Do2dtun shared another post to clarify his concerns further. He explained that highlighting one group in such a manner only reinforced an unnecessary sense of minority status when unity was needed instead.
“I see a problem with this cos it only jst pushes the narrative of pple who just believe they are the minority when they are not,” he wrote. “You are a Nigerian at the end of the day & powerful people. Also, the category is a genre that represents us all. It contains every element that’s generic & not limiting.”
His comments suggested that Afrobeat, by its very nature, is a collective celebration that transcends ethnic boundaries.
Meanwhile, some social media users rallied behind Whitemoney, praising him for acknowledging the cultural significance of his heritage. One commenter noted, “It’s a pride for the Igbo people, a people who have contributed immensely to the success of Afrobeats and the music industry as a whole. He was simply acknowledging that contribution.”
To these defenders, Whitemoney’s remarks were seen not as divisive but as a rightful moment of ethnic pride in a global spotlight, something they believed should be celebrated rather than condemned.
On the other hand, many sided with Do2dtun, insisting that such platforms should be used to promote national unity, especially at an event like the Headies that celebrates Nigerian excellence on an international level.
They felt that while ethnic pride is valid, the focus during such moments should remain on the collective success of Nigerians as a whole.
As the conversation continues to gain momentum, it underscores the delicate balance between cultural identity and national unity in Nigeria’s increasingly global entertainment space.
