Muyiwa Awoniyi, manager to Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, has revealed the significant revenue challenges Nigerian artists face on music streaming platforms due to economic and structural factors. Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Awoniyi explained that one million streams originating from Nigeria generate roughly $300, a fraction of what the same number of streams in Sweden—Spotify’s home country—can earn, which ranges between $8,000 and $10,000.
He attributed this vast discrepancy primarily to Nigeria’s low subscription fees, with Spotify costing about 900 Naira per month, and the country’s struggling economy that limits consumers’ purchasing power. Awoniyi emphasized that Spotify’s territorial pricing model ties streaming royalties to the region where streams occur, meaning artists anchored in Nigeria receive substantially lower payouts. “If my IP is anchored to a region where one million streams is $300, I am cooked,” he said.
This insight underscores the broader challenges Nigerian artists face in monetizing their music domestically. Despite Nigeria’s large population and vibrant music scene, only a small fraction are paying subscribers to streaming services, limiting revenue potential. The economic realities force many artists to seek international audiences to sustain their careers. Burna Boy recently echoed similar sentiments, advising Nigerian musicians to grow their fan base beyond the country to maximize earnings.
Awoniyi’s perspective sheds light on why streaming revenue alone is insufficient for many Nigerian artists and highlights the need for diversified income streams and global reach in the evolving music industry landscape.
