While Nigeria is not exempt from the negative forces on the global economy, there are occasional glimmers of hope.

The country’s GDP contracted to -0.36 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared to 2.11 per cent in Q4 of 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. However, a bright spot is the entertainment and recreational sector which has shown growth of 8.4% in the first quarter. Is this news good enough for us to put on our dancing shoes?

Prior to 2006, foreign music enjoyed a greater percentage of airplay than local music and local artists were like shadows in the industry, receiving little patronage. Since 2006, the tables have turned and the preference for local music has soared.

According to Olisa Adibua, one of Nigeria’s most sought after on air personalities with over 25 years media experience under his belt, ‘’the renaissance came in 2006 and local music now enjoys a whopping 70% airplay against foreign music.’’

In step with the rise in local music preference, there has been growth in a number of other related professions. Today, there are more lawyers specialising in entertainment, professional publicists, video directors, producers and even fashion designers.

Growth is good but like a farmland it comes with weeds. Many Nigerians are concerned about the ‘’weeds’’ that are springing up alongside the lush growth. These include piracy and misleading messaging.

CNBC’s Esther Awoniyi spoke to Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tubaba, about his concerns about the industry. ‘’I am impressed and concerned at the same time,” he told her. “I am impressed at the quality of the sound. What I’m scared of is the message and the direction.’’

Reality may be too depressing, encouraging people to escape to a fantasy world. While this has merits, it also has disadvantages. It all depends on one’s level of control.