In an urgent effort to tackle pressing issues plaguing the Nigerian music industry, prominent stakeholders, including All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Record Label Proprietors Initiative (RELPI), the Association of Music Artistes Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN) and Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN), on October 1, held an emergency summit.
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The aim of the summit was to identify challenges facing the music industry, and propose regulatory mechanisms that would help contribute to a successful and harmonious sector.
This follows calls last month for formalisation of the industry in the wake of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad’s death.

Moderated by veteran artiste manager, Efe Omorogbe, the summit ran under the theme, Identification of Internal and External Regulatory Mechanisms to Smoothen the Working Relationship among Various Stakeholders and Subgroups in the Music Industry.

Though virtual, the summit, which commenced at around 6.00pm Nigerian time, attracted industry practitioners such as, Dr Kenny Ogungbe, Sunny Neji, Pretty Okafor, Olumide Mustapha, Sijuade Adedokun and Chinedu Chukwuji.

In his opening remark, AFRIMA President, Mike Dada, underlined the organisation’s commitment to collaborating with industry players to find lasting solutions to myriads of problems facing the creative industry in Africa, starting with Nigeria.

He stated that the primary objective of this meeting is to generate innovative ideas and propose legislation that would contribute to the professionalisation of the Nigerian music and entertainment industry, adding that the shocking passing of Mohbad has become a trigger to push the narrative for a change in a sector yearning for growth.
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“We have brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including musicians, record labels, producers and many others, to address the critical issues facing our music industry. These efforts aim to revitalise the music, entertainment, arts, culture and hospitality sectors in Nigeria,” Dada said.

The participants identified several pressing issues, including the lack of information for newcomers, artiste exploitation by record labels and the absence of industry-specific regulations to ensure fair contracts and revenue sharing. Additionally, issues like contractual disputes, a lack of cooperation among industry players, and the mental health of artistes were discussed as major concerns.

To address these challenges, the meeting adopted a series of resolutions and action plans. Key among them include: Using legislation as a crucial tool for a successful music industry – to shape dynamics, safeguard rights, promote innovation, and ensure fairness.

Call to reach out to other sectoral bodies not represented for future discussions, proposal to establish a four-man ad-hoc committee of legal practitioners to assess current sectoral body mandates and recommend strengthening of legal instruments, consideration of forming a committee with government representatives to develop a legal framework for a music institute, subject to further discussion.

Emphasis on artistes joining relevant organisations for their protection and advancement, urgent need for an umbrella body to consolidate sectoral bodies within the music industry for increased collaboration, encouragement of continuous education and engagement of sectoral bodies regarding roles, responsibilities, obligations and benefits in the music industry.

The summit concluded with a commitment to hold another edition within a month, which stakeholders say signals a collective determination to address the sector’s challenges and promote its sustainable growth.
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