Idowu
Muyiwa Awoniyi, the powerhouse behind Grammy-winning sensation Tems, has exposed the glaring gap in streaming payouts between Nigeria and the rest of the world.
Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Awoniyi pointed to Nigeria’s budget-friendly subscription fees and economic challenges as key reasons artists earn shockingly little from local streams.
He dropped a bombshell: while Nigerian artists earn roughly $300 for a million streams, their Swedish counterparts pocket a staggering $8,000 to $10,000 for the same numbers.
“Let me break it down—one million streams from Nigeria? That’s just $300. I’m not guessing; these are cold, hard facts. Spotify Premium here costs just ₦900, but payouts are tied to regional economics,” he explained.
“Most people don’t realize this, but I’ve seen it coming. If my artists’ income depends on a market where a million streams equals $300, we’re fighting an uphill battle. I noticed this trend even while managing Nonso Amadi—when the economy struggles, so does the artist’s paycheck.
“Now, take Sweden—Spotify’s birthplace. There, a million streams can bring in $8,000 to $10,000. That’s the reality we’re up against.”
This revelation echoes Burna Boy’s earlier warning—topping Nigerian streaming charts isn’t the flex some think it is. The global superstar urged artists to look beyond local streams for real financial success.
Awoniyi, a heavyweight in the music industry, runs BSB Management Agency and has shaped the careers of icons like Tems, Omah Lay, and Nonso Amadi.
John Okoro
