Showbiz

Nigeria’s Music Industry to Generate N26.3bn Revenue in 2021–FG

Published

5 years ago

23/01/2020

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Federal Government has said the nation’s music industry is projected to generate $86 million (about N26.3 billion at an exchange rate of N306/$1) in revenue in 2021.

Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, said this on Thursday at the 11th Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (Investour), which was held on the sidelines of the ongoing International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain.

Mr Mohammed, who served as a panellist at the event, said Nigeria also boasts of a very vibrant and popular music industry which not only reflects her cultural richness, but has over the years translated into international recognition and acceptance.

”The Nigeria music revenue grew from about $36 million in 2014 to $53 million in 2018 and is projected to hit $86 million in 2021, making it the biggest in the region,” he said, noting that a chunk of the figure comes from digital music consumption, an area of the market which significantly boosted the industry in Nigeria and paved the way for local artists to thrive,” the Minister said.

He called on foreign investors to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in the nation’s Creative Industry, which he described as the fastest growing sector of the nation’s economy, in terms of business opportunities, employment, earnings and entertainment.

According to him, the sector currently employs about one million people, directly and indirectly, and has the potential to employ millions more, with the much-needed investment.

”Nollywood, for example, is not just about entertainment. It is also a major driver of economic growth and job creation, especially for youths and women,” Mr Mohammed said, noting that, ”With over 2,000 movies produced annually, the opportunities are immense for wealth and job creation.”

He said though the growth in the area of cinemas, for example, has been impressive, it is yet a tip of the iceberg.

”In 2014, Nigeria had just 23 cinemas, 100 screens and three digital platforms. By 2018-2019, the cinemas have grown to 51, the screens to 184 and the digital platforms to five. Now, this is just a tip of the iceberg, considering that 6,000 screens and 1,000 cinemas are required to serve the Nigerian population of about 200 million people,” the Minister said.

He said the potential impact of such growth includes the creation of additional one million jobs and a GDP growth contribution of 3 to 5 percent.

Mr Mohammed stated that the earnings from the country’s fashion sector were over N4 trillion of Nigeria’s re-based GDP (National Bureau of Statistics, 2018), describing arts and crafts as another growing area of the Creative Industry.

He said with a rich food diversity, Nigeria could also leverage on gastronomy to grow its tourism and create job, especially for women who, he said, dominate the sector.

”It offers opportunities for communities to integrate tourism and local food systems in order to promote economic activities. Gastronomy tourism contributes positively to many levels of the tourism value chain, such as agriculture and local food manufacturing and provides a platform for the promotion of cultures through their cuisine,” the Minister said.

Showbiz

Popular Artist Terry Apala in Ikoyi Prison for Naira Abuse

Published

2 days ago

25/04/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A popular music act, Mr Terry Alexander Ejeh, otherwise known as Terry Apala, has been remanded in a correctional centre in Lagos for alleged mutilation of the Naira notes in January 2025.

He was arraigned on Friday, April 25, 2025, by the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) on a single-count charge bordering on mutilating the Naira notes.

The musician was accused of committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

“That you, Terry Alexander Ejeh, on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by marching on the same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007,” the count read to Terry Apala today at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, read.

However, he pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him, which prompted the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, to ask for a trial date, urging the court to remand him in a correctional centre.

The defence counsel, Mr Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025, and prayed the court for a short date for the hearing of the application.

“Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I will be craving the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence.

“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025; and on the invitation of the EFCC, he came on his own,” he stated

But the prosecution counsel opposed the application, saying, “The application is alien and unheard of.”

“I urge the court to afford us the opportunity to look at the application and respond properly so that the court can make a well -informed ruling,” he said.

In a short ruling, Justice Akintayo Aluko refused the application of the defence, ordering the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application. The matter was, thereafter, adjourned till May 5, 2025.

Showbiz

Spotify’s AI Playlist Now Available in Nigeria

Published

3 days ago

25/04/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Global streaming platform, Spotify, has announced the availability of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) playlist in Nigeria.

In a statement on Friday, it said the AI Playlist in beta is for its premium users in more than 40 markets, including Nigeria.

This feature can be found via the search tab of Spotify by simply typing AI Playlist and selecting one of the suggestions.

With AI Playlist, Spotify will curate a personalized playlist made just for users based on the tracks, artists, genres and more. This is easy to revise and refine as users only have to ask for what they want – like “more upbeat,” “more new releases,” or “happier songs.”

The most successful playlists are generated through “genre”, “mood” or “artist” prompts. But animals, activities, movie characters, colours – and even emojis – are all fair game too.

Some fun prompts the platform suggests users to try out include Afrobeat tracks for the dance floor, Trending K-Pop hits I need to know, Reggaeton for hanging out at the beach, Songs to hype me up for a football match, and Latin songs from my top genre, among others.

Since launching last year, premium users have created millions of playlists with the goal of finding music that fits any mood or moment in an instant.

Now, Spotify is making it even easier for users around the globe to create the perfect playlist and find their next favorite artist.

The company has promised that this feature would expand to markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

Showbiz

Lights, Camera, Talent! Nigerian Idol Season 10 Starts with a Bang

Published

3 days ago

24/04/2025

Business Post Contributor

The wait is over – Nigerian Idol Season 10 is finally here, and the premiere delivered all the excitement and talent fans of the show hoped for.

Back on the judges’ panel are Omawumi and Ric Hassani. Last season, we saw them strike a balance between fun and honest feedback, and this year, they’re stepping it up.

Ric shared that he’s watching out for contestants with soul, skill, and voices that are just genuinely enjoyable to hear. Omawumi is looking for something more instinctive, a spark of originality, showmanship, and a voice that immediately makes people sit up.

Then there is Iyanya, the newest judge at the table. As a product of a reality music show himself, he knows the pressure these contestants are under. For him, it’s all about raw talent, star quality, and people who are ready to command the stage.

From the first auditions, you could tell the competition this season is going to be tough. There were strong voices, bold performances, and yes, a few funny and unexpected moments that reminded everyone why the audition stage is a fan favourite.

One standout moment was the return of Mikky, the very first contestant to ever receive a Platinum Ticket in the history of Nigerian Idol. He came back this season stronger and more confident and delivered a performance that had the judges impressed again. It earned him another Platinum Ticket, proving that when talent meets growth, it’s a winning combo.

So far, the scorecard reads: 17 yeses, 9 no’s, and 1 Platinum Ticket gone, with two still up for grabs.

Season 10 is shaping up to be one worth watching. If this first episode is anything to go by, we’re in for a season full of standout moments and new stars in the making.

Catch all-new episodes every Sunday at 7 p.m. on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv ch. 151, GOtv ch. 12) and Africa Magic Family (DStv ch. 154, GOtv ch. 2). For non-stop Idol content from auditions to backstage moments, tune in to the 24/7 Idol Extra channel on DStv channel. 198 and GOtv channel. 49.