Nigerian music creators generated more than N60 billion in royalties from Spotify streams in 2025, reinforcing the country’s growing dominance in the global digital music economy. The earnings reflect a sharp 140 per cent increase over the past two years, driven largely by rising international demand for Nigerian sounds.
Data released by Spotify shows that Nigerian artistes amassed over 30.3 billion streams and 1.6 billion listening hours within the year under review. The figures point to sustained global engagement, with a significant share of streams coming from listeners outside Africa, particularly in Europe, North America, and parts of Latin America.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the surge in earnings highlights how Nigerian music has transitioned from regional appeal to a major export product. Expanded playlist placements, algorithmic discovery, and cross-border collaborations have played a central role in pushing Nigerian artistes to new audiences, translating visibility into substantial financial returns.
The 2025 performance builds on a strong upward trend recorded in previous years. Royalties crossed the N58 billion mark in 2024, doubling 2023 figures and rising fivefold compared to 2022. Industry data also shows that the number of Nigerian artistes earning over N10 million annually from Spotify more than doubled between 2023 and 2025, signalling deeper monetisation across both mainstream and emerging acts.
Analysts say the growth reflects a maturing digital music ecosystem, where creators are increasingly leveraging streaming platforms to generate sustainable income. Beyond headline stars, mid-level and independent artistes are benefitting from improved access to global listeners and more transparent royalty systems.
Spotify’s latest figures further underline the commercial strength of Afrobeats and its related genres, as Nigerian music continues to shape global charts and cultural conversations. With streaming revenues rising and international audiences expanding, stakeholders say Nigeria’s music industry is steadily positioning itself as one of Africa’s most valuable creative exports.
