Odion, Chukwuji, others lead conversation on Nigeria music

The African Music Business Roundtable has been birthed to address issues in the industry. The roundtable is an innovative initiative designed to influence the future of the music industry.

Co-founder and Executive Director, African Music Business Roundtable, Michael Odiong, said while we celebrate the significant progress made, “we must also address the pressing need for strategic discussion and collaboration to ensure the industry’s sustainability and equitable development.”

He added that the roundtable is a proactive response to that need: “The Roundtable is not merely a platform for dialogue; rather, it serves as a forum for generating actionable solutions that will advance the industry towards greater success.”

Scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, the roundtable will comprise a two-day engagement focused on addressing critical challenges within the music sector.

The roundtable will address six essential topics, with three subjects deliberated each day: What is the True Value of the Nigerian Music Industry? – Analysing the industry’s economic contributions and potential; Where Are We in the Afrobeats Conversation? – Investigating strategies to preserve authenticity and maintain global relevance; AI Meets Copyright – Examining the implications of artificial intelligence on creativity, licensing, and copyright protection, Data and Revenue – Leveraging data analytics for transparency and revenue optimization; Structures and Policies – Enhancing legal and institutional frameworks to promote growth and Do Gatekeepers Still Exist in the Digital Era? – Assessing the evolving power dynamics within the music business.

Odion said: “Our vision is unequivocal: by the conclusion of this Roundtable, we aim to formulate actionable plans that address critical challenges and seize opportunities within the African music business ecosystem. These solutions will facilitate the industry’s growth and enhance its positioning on a global scale.”

On his part, Executive Director, African Music Business Roundtable and Co-founder, Chinedu Chukwuji, said: “We want to use the roundtable to encourage other practitioners in the music industry to be intentional about other genres. People we only accept what you have made public but the truth is that we are more than Afrobeats.”