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As it is in most parts of the world, music is perhaps the most consumed pleasure in Nigeria, and the rise of streaming platforms, social media, and music-tracking tools means that we have stepped into a new era defined by data and high-powered tech that has made old models obsolete.
However ingenious these technological advances may be, local context is still unavoidable to make successes of their adoption. The people on this list this year were at the beating heart of the music technology advancement in Nigeria.
1. Opeyemi Iredumare
Technology cannot exist in a vacuum. There is a need for legal precepts that guide its application and usage. Nigerian techno-lawyer, Opeyemi Iredumare, has been at the forefront of advocacy for a legal framework guiding technological advances in Nigerian music.
He first got into the Nigerian music industry as the head of legal and content acquisition at Transsnet Music Limited, the parent company of popular streaming service, Boomplay.
In that role, he developed the original content acquisition strategy and the royalties projection models that the streaming service employed.
He performed a similar role at the music division of telecommunication giant, MTN, but where he has come to the fore in recent years is as a tireless advocate for the importance of data and technology to protect intellectual property.
2. Victor Okpala
Victor Okpala is the artist and label partnerships manager for Spotify in West Africa where he helps bridge the gap between Nigerian artists, their teams, and the digital infrastructure that the platform provides.
He was previously a music marketing executive through his Billboard-recognized agency, NABSolute Media through which he developed innovative ways to advance the reach of artists locally and in the diaspora.
He later founded SpinHeard, a self-serve music marketing tool that ran shortly before he joined Spotify. Since Spotify entered the West African market in 2021, Okpala has played a critical role in facilitating partnerships that have helped Afrobeats explode in popularity.
He delivered a well-received TEDx talk at the University of Leeds in 2023 where he discussed the ways that Africa’s social innovation via music is driving a new image for the continent and the frameworks that need to be developed across technology to sustain its continued growth.
He was also a panelist at the 2022 Techpoint Build conference where the role of technology in building the future of Africa’s creative economy was discussed. In 2024, Spotify continues to stamp its foot on the ground as the most influential DSP in West Africa, thanks to the innovative approach to this emerging market led by Okpala.
3. Ayomide Oriowo
Ayomide Oriowois the co-founder of TurnTable Charts, Nigeria’s leading data-driven and consumption-tracking music platform. At TurnTable, he heads Partnerships and Industry Relations, playing a crucial role in transforming raw streaming data into insightful information about the Nigerian music scene.
In addition to providing weekly and monthly updates on top-performing songs, TurnTable Charts also releases yearly lists like the TurnTable Power List which lists the top 30 and 100 professionals in the Nigerian music industry.
4. Amanda Uzoagba
Amanda Uzoagba is the head of licensing, West Africa at Mdundo, a leading music streaming service in Africa.
With a legal background and extensive experience in film, music, and media production, Amandahasworkedwithmajorentities like Netflix, Empire, Sony Pictures, and Dream Empire Music.
5. Dolapo Amusat
Dolapo Amusatis the founder of WeTalk Sound andTheAfroGarage, two platforms working to empower Africa’s creative ecosystem through technology and capital funding.
He also works as a product marketing manager at Google. At WeTalkSound, Dolapo emphasizes the importance of leveraging the internet and data to enhance the Nigerian music industry.
6. Wandoo Daisy
Wandoo Daisy is the music content and promotions manager (Afrobeats) at YouTube Music. In a career spanning over six years, she has worked in several roles including content strategy and partnership coordinator for Boomplay in Northern Nigeria.
Wandoo is passionate about helping music streaming services in Africa scale, create awareness, and grow their subscriber base. With her expertise, she plays an instrumental role in promoting African artists and music globally, contributing to YouTube’s success in the region.
7. Adeyemi Adetunji
Adeyemi Adetunji serves as the head of operations and Commercial Partnerships at Audiomack Africa.
With a background in law and a career that includes stints as a freelance writer and representative at The NATIVE before joining Audiomack, Adeyemi is an expert in brand management and contract negotiations.
He is a regular speaker at industry events, advocating for the growth and adoption of digital technology in music streaming and the importance of leveraging data in the industry.
8. James Afuwape
James Afuwape is the marketing and artist media relations manager at Boomplay Nigeria, one of Africa’s leading music streaming platforms.
His role involves securing digital distribution for African albums and accelerating the global growth of African music through streaming technology.
9. Chiedozoe Anyinaa
Chiedozoe Anyinaa is the music partnerships manager (Sub-Saharan Africa) at TikTok, where he also functions as a content aggregator and A&R. Nigerian music has blossomed on TikTok in recent years thanks to the sheer power of the app as a music discovery channel and app.
Chiedozoe is known for his innovative ideas and campaigns that use TikTok’s influence to help artists monetize their content and expand their reach.
He is deeply involved in discussions around digital distribution and content creation, ensuring that artists benefit from the platform’s global audience.
10. Kayode Babalola
Kayode Babalola is the director of operations, charts, and data at TurnTable Africa, where he is famously described as “the machine that keeps TurnTable going.” Kayode is responsible for developing the policies, methodologies, and metrics that form the foundation of Nigeria’s official music charts.
His role is crucial in ensuring the data collected is accurate and actionable, helping shape the future of music streaming and certification in Nigeria.
