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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Nigerian musicologists seek economic reforms, better monetization of music sector

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nigerian musicologists urged the government to reform the music sector into a major economic contributor through better monetization, education, technology, and policy support.
  • Experts called for music to be integrated into the national economy, questioning how compositions and performances translate into measurable economic value beyond traditional uses.
  • The association highlighted untapped opportunities in music tourism and the need to develop Nigeria's musical heritage, while also advocating for a curriculum review to include Nigerian music and for institutions to produce musical instruments.

Musicologists in Nigeria are calling for a significant overhaul of the country's music sector, urging it to be repositioned as a key driver of the national economy. The Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANM) believes that through improved monetization, education, technology, and stronger policy support, music can become a substantial economic contributor.

During the association's 22nd Annual Conference, themed "Music and Nigeria’s Economy in the 21st Century," President Prof. Femi Abiodun challenged scholars and practitioners to demonstrate the measurable economic value of music composition, performance, and education. He questioned the practical economic impact of military music, for instance, suggesting it goes beyond mere marching.

We will be looking at theories, themes, compositions and performances, but we must ask a fundamental question: How does your composition contribute to Nigeria’s economy?

— Prof. Femi AbiodunDuring the opening ceremony of the association’s 22nd Annual Conference, highlighting the need to connect music to economic value.

Abiodun also pointed to music tourism as a largely undeveloped area, emphasizing the need to leverage Nigeria's rich musical heritage for sustainable tourism. Furthermore, he advocated for a review of the national music curriculum to ensure sufficient integration of Nigerian music. On the technological front, he urged institutions to shift from theoretical teaching to producing musical instruments and technologies that can create jobs and export opportunities, aiming for the music sector to eventually rival traditional industries like oil and gas in economic output.

The association also decried the undervaluation of creative work in Nigeria, noting that society often places a higher monetary value on physical goods than on intellectual and creative services. This disparity hinders the full economic potential of the music industry.

We have a serious problem with how society values creative work. People are willing to pay enormous amounts for shoes, clothing and cars. But when it comes to music, performance, composition or other creative services, people oft

— Prof. Femi AbiodunDescribing the societal undervaluation of creative services compared to physical products.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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