It’s been another fantastic year for Nigerian music globally. The songs are charting, the artists are headlining, and Afrobeats is undeniably one of the biggest genres in the world. But something feels… off. For all the success we’ve seen in 2024, there hasn’t been a single Nigerian music award ceremony to celebrate it. Not one.

No Headies, no SoundCity MVP, no AFRIMA. Even the Trace Awards, which showed promise last year, didn’t happen. For a country leading the global music conversation, that’s a strange reality.

The Global Hype vs. Local Apathy

Let’s be honest—Nigerian music doesn’t need a sales pitch anymore. It’s doing incredibly well internationally. Rema, Burna Boy, Asake, and others are all over global stages, racking up awards and breaking records. But back home? The infrastructure to document and celebrate these achievements seems shaky at best.

Here’s the thing: global awards like the Grammys are great, but they’re not designed to tell our story. They won’t celebrate the subtle cultural shifts or the smaller wins that matter to us. If we don’t recognize our own, who will?

Why Are We Here?

Some might point to the usual suspects—economic challenges, lack of sponsorship, or poor organization. Sure, those play a role. But there’s also this sense that the people who should care the most—artists, labels, and other industry players—aren’t doing enough to support local recognition platforms.

It’s not entirely their fault, though. Many of these awards have struggled with credibility and relevance. When people don’t trust the process, it’s hard to build enthusiasm around it. Add that to the constant financial struggles, and it’s easy to see why organizers might throw in the towel.

What Can Be Done?

Here’s where things get interesting. Instead of seeing this as a failure, maybe it’s time to see it as a chance to rethink everything. Nigerian music is bigger than it’s ever been. There’s an opportunity to build something fresh, something that truly reflects where the industry is now.

For starters, we need new players—people with fresh ideas and a willingness to take risks. Why not use technology to make awards more transparent and engaging? Imagine fan-driven voting systems that actually work or virtual ceremonies that save on costs.

But it’s not just about the organizers. Artists need to step up too. It’s not enough to win big abroad; they have to invest in building systems at home. And the same goes for sponsors. Nigerian music is a global brand—investing in it locally should be a no-brainer.

Moving Forward

It’s wild that in a year when Nigerian music reached such incredible heights, there’s no local stage to celebrate it. Awards aren’t just about trophies—they’re about telling our story and leaving a legacy.

The Nigerian music industry is at a crossroads. We can keep chasing international applause, or we can also look inward and build the structures we need to thrive locally. Because if we don’t tell our own story, someone else will—and they might not get it right

Sub-Saharan Africa’s music scene is on fire right now, and it’s clear that we’re just scratching the surface of something massive. The region’s music industry has far exceeded expectations, growing by an impressive 24.7%, making it the fastest-growing region in the world at the moment. So, what’s driving this explosion? Paid streaming. The revenue from streaming services shot up by a remarkable 24.5%, and that’s been a game changer for the entire industry.

Leading the charge is South Africa, the undisputed powerhouse of the region. The country pulls in a staggering 77% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s total music revenue, and that number keeps climbing—by nearly 20% just last year. While Nigeria is known for producing international hits, South Africa stands out in terms of revenue generation. But why is that?

It’s not just about the music (though it’s incredible). South Africa has built a robust and efficient music industry. The country has a solid system in place for collecting royalties, making sure that artists are paid for their work. There’s also strong government backing, which helps protect against piracy and invests in local music festivals and events. Plus, nearly 80% of the music played on local radio and TV is homegrown, which is a big boost for local talent.

Looking ahead, the future of Sub-Saharan Africa’s music industry is shining bright. African artists aren’t just dominating their local scenes—they’re reaching audiences worldwide, collaborating with global stars, and leaving their mark on the international stage. This is more than a passing trend; it’s the start of a new era in music. And as streaming platforms continue to grow, there’s no telling how far African music will go in the coming years. One thing is certain: the world is starting to sit up and take notice, and the best is yet to come.