Nigeria’s music industry is recording stronger financial returns from streaming, with new data showing how digital platforms are widening earning opportunities and strengthening local consumption. Insights from Spotify’s latest Loud & Clear report indicate that Nigerian musicians generated more than ₦60 billion from the platform in 2025, highlighting sustained global demand for their sound and the growing commercial value of streaming.

The report, which draws from millions of data points across the service, points to an ecosystem that is expanding beyond international visibility to deeper economic participation at home. Artist revenue from Spotify has grown by more than 140 percent over the past two years, reinforcing the platform’s increasing role in how Nigerian creators build careers and monetise their work in a competitive industry.

Engagement levels also remained high during the period under review. Nigerian artists recorded over 30.3 billion streams and accumulated about 1.6 billion listening hours on the platform. They were discovered by first-time listeners more than 1.3 billion times, representing a 26 percent increase compared to 2024. The figures underline how digital discovery continues to introduce Nigerian music to new audiences across markets.

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Within the country, listening habits show a strong preference for local acts. Nigerian artists accounted for more than 80 percent of songs featured on Spotify Nigeria’s Daily Top 50 chart in 2025, while consumption of Nigerian music within the country grew by 170 percent year-on-year on the platform. The trend points to a market where streaming is not only exporting sound but also reinforcing its relevance among domestic listeners.

Managing Director for Spotify in Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said the data reflects the growing cultural and commercial influence of Nigerian talent. “Nigeria’s music story continues to be one of creativity, innovation and global cultural influence. What we are seeing is a market where talent is not only reaching new audiences around the world but also building deeper connections at home. For us, Loud & Clear is an opportunity to spotlight the evolving pathways artists are taking to build sustainable careers, and to show the many ways Nigerian creators are shaping the future of music,” she stated.

The data also highlights progress among specific artist segments. Local streams of Nigerian female artists increased by 55 percent, while streams of Nigerian independent artists rose by 75 percent over the same period. About 58 percent of all royalties earned by Nigerian artists on Spotify in 2025 came from independent artists or labels, signalling a gradual shift in how value is distributed across the industry.

As streaming continues to open new income channels and discovery routes, the latest figures suggest Nigeria’s music business is moving into a phase where digital platforms are becoming central to audience growth, revenue generation, and the broader structure of the creative economy.

Meiza Nigeria