Nigeria’s music industry may be on the verge of a major transformation following a landmark gathering of music executives, artistes, investors, policymakers, and digital innovators aimed at addressing long-standing challenges around monetisation, streaming revenue, and sustainable growth.

Held at the MTN Rooftop Event Centre in Falomo, Lagos, the two-day workshop and industry roundtable, titled, “Reverberation: The Blueprint for Africa’s Digital Audio Future,” brought together key players across the music value chain to explore practical solutions for the continent’s evolving digital music economy.

For years, conversations around fair compensation, streaming revenues, rights management, and industry restructuring have often ended with recommendations but little action. Reverberation sought to change that by creating a platform focused on collaboration, strategy, and implementation.

Participants noted that while Nigerian artistes continue to dominate global stages and fill arenas worldwide, the financial benefits of that success are yet to fully translate into broader economic gains for the industry and the country.

Hosted by renowned music journalist Joey Akan, the event featured a series of panel discussions and workshops involving industry leaders, including Osi Suave, Motolani Alake, Adeayo Adebiyi, Excel Joab, Efe Omorogbe, Olisa Adibua, and EeZee Conceptz founder, Ezekiel ThankGod Onyedikachukwu (EeZee Tee).

Discussions focused on creator economics, digital distribution, rights management, audience engagement, platform development, and the need for stronger African-owned infrastructure capable of supporting long-term growth.

A recurring theme was the urgent need for home-grown digital solutions tailored to African creators and consumers, supported by robust payment systems, distribution networks, and commercial frameworks.

Speaking at the event, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Digital Officer, A’isha Umar Mumuni, emphasized the importance of collaboration in building the future of Africa’s digital audio ecosystem.

“Africa’s music industry remains one of the continent’s most powerful cultural exports. Unlocking its next phase of growth requires deeper collaboration, stronger digital infrastructure, and solutions designed around the realities of African creators and audiences.

“Reverberation was created as a platform for honest industry conversations, one that allows us to listen, engage stakeholders, and collectively explore what the future of digital audio can look like for Africa,” she said.

“As Africa’s digital economy continues to evolve, MTN remains focused on supporting platforms, partnerships, and ecosystem conversations that drive growth within the continent’s music industry. These efforts are aimed at empowering creators, strengthening cultural ownership, deepening audience connections, and enabling long-term sustainability.

“We are going to build the infrastructure, but what happens to that infrastructure when we are done is up to the stakeholders in the room. We need everyone to take a look at the economy we are trying to build and figure out their role. We want everyone to commit themselves in the same way we are committing ourselves to this. We do not have all the answers, so we need stakeholders in the music industry to guide us as we jointly fix it,” Mumuni added.

Veteran music executive, Efe Omorogbe, described current revenue-sharing structures as deeply unfair and called for a more organized industry response, while EeZee Tee highlighted the risks borne by investors, stressing the need for a balanced ecosystem that protects all stakeholders.

As conversations move from ideas to action, stakeholders remain optimistic that the reforms discussed at Reverberation could help create a more profitable, transparent, and sustainable future for African music.