Nigeria’s love for music and podcasts is showing no signs of slowing down. Spotify reports that Nigerian users streamed more than 1.4 million hours of music in 2025, while total podcast consumption on the platform has now surpassed 59 billion hours since launch. These numbers highlight a growing digital audio culture that is shaping entertainment trends and creating new opportunities for artists and creators across the country.

The statistics reveal a young and curious audience driving this growth. The average Nigerian Spotify listener is just 26 years old, navigating a mix of genres and languages. Afrobeats continues to dominate, recording a 5,022 percent increase in streams locally between 2021 and 2025, while Amapiano surged by 10,330 percent, Gospel and Praise by 5,499 percent, Hip-hop and Rap by 3,020 percent, and R&B by 2,602 percent. Indigenous-language listening also expanded, with domestic streams up 87 percent in 2025 and global streams rising by 41 percent.

Streaming growth drives artist exposure and revenue

Nigerian users are exploring widely, streaming an average of 150 different artists in recent months. Among the most streamed are Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Wizkid, and Seyi Vibez, with tracks such as Asake’s “Remember” and “Lonely At The Top,” Wizkid’s “Kese (Dance),” Seyi Vibez’s “Doha,” and Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay seeing repeated plays. Over 1,900 Nigerian artists were added to Spotify editorial playlists in 2024, a 33 percent jump from the previous year, and first-time listeners discovered Nigerian music over one billion times.

Also Read: Spotify wrapped 2025 reveals Nigerian artists dominating global playlists

This explosion in engagement is translating into real financial impact. Nigerian artists earned over ₦58 billion in royalties in 2024, more than double 2023’s figure and five times higher than 2022. Domestic streaming has grown 782 percent over three years, while international exposure has risen 49 percent, showing that Nigerian music is reaching fans worldwide. Users have created around 250 million playlists featuring local artists, reinforcing both cultural influence and commercial strength.

Industry observers note that while these numbers are impressive, challenges remain. Concerns around equitable royalty distribution, transparency, and support for emerging artists persist. Podcasts also present monetisation opportunities, but success will depend on investment in local advertising, creator tools, and training, ensuring that the billions of streaming hours can become sustainable careers for Nigerian creators. Spotify’s report confirms that Nigeria’s audio industry is no longer only a local story, it is increasingly shaping global listening trends.

Meiza Nigeria