Nigerian Music Industry Holds Emergency Summit Meeting: Key Resolutions and Action Plans

Nigerian Music Industry Holds Emergency Summit Meeting: Key Resolutions and Action Plans

In a significant development for the Nigerian music industry, an emergency summit meeting was convened on October 1, 2023, with the theme, “Identification of Internal and External Regulatory Mechanisms to Smoothen the Working Relationship among Various Stakeholders and Subgroups in the Music Industry.”

The virtual summit, which lasted from 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm (Nigerian Time), was organized by the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Music Business Summit, in collaboration with several key industry organizations, including the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Record Label Proprietors Initiative (RELPI), Association of Music Artist Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN), and Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN), among others.

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The primary objective of this summit was to take a comprehensive approach to identify and address the challenges obstructing the growth of the Nigerian music industry. It aimed to find comprehensive solutions and promote professionalism, stability, and sustainable growth within the sector.

Diverse stakeholders participated in this virtual gathering, representing various facets of the music industry. These participants included musicians/artistes, record label owners, A&R professionals, producers, promoters, artiste’s managers, songwriters, DJs & video vixens, video directors, equipment production and rental companies, publishing companies, streaming service companies, entertainment lawyers, royalty companies, choreographers/dancers, entertainment/music journalists, media professionals, culture and music enthusiasts, brands, collecting societies, financial experts, business managers, marketing communication experts, and other supporting professionals.

The summit’s opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Mike Dada, President of AFRIMA, who emphasized the commitment of AFRIMA to collaborate with industry stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the creative industry, starting with Nigeria. He noted that the recent tragic loss of fast-rising afrobeat artist Mohbad had become a catalyst for pushing the narrative for change in a sector that yearns for growth.

The discussions during the summit led to the identification of several pressing challenges hindering the industry’s growth:

1. Lack of Information for New Entrants: Participants acknowledged that newcomers to the music industry, especially upcoming artistes, often lack essential information about industry operations.
2. Artistes’ Exploitation: The exploitation of artistes by record labels was highlighted as a significant concern, manifesting in various forms, including unfair contracts, inadequate compensation, and limited creative control. Participants expressed the need for industry-specific regulations to guide fair contracts and revenue sharing.
3. Contractual Agreements: The tendency of artistes to abandon valid contractual agreements with record labels and their lack of music business knowledge and entrepreneurial initiatives were identified as factors contributing to acrimony within the industry.
4. Lack of a Legal Framework: The absence of a legal framework to institutionalize minimum entry requirements for industry players, including musicians and record labels, was noted as a concern to discourage mediocrity and substandardization in the music ecosystem.
5. Lack of Cooperation: The lack of cooperation among industry-relevant players, sectoral bodies, and organizations was emphasized as detrimental to the industry’s progress.
6. Mental Health Support: The mental health of artistes and the absence of institutional support, advocacy, and interventions to address this issue were recognized as major concerns.
7. Information Desk and Arbitration Mechanism: The industry’s lack of a central information desk and an arbitration mechanism for industry players were identified as gaps that need to be addressed.

Key Resolutions and Action Plans:

The summit resulted in far-reaching resolutions and action plans aimed at addressing these challenges and fostering the growth and sustainability of the Nigerian music industry:

1. Legislation: Participants underscored the importance of legislation as the foundation for a successful and sustainable music industry. They called for well-crafted laws and regulations that would provide a stable framework, protect the rights of artistes, creators, record labels, promote investment, and create a vibrant music ecosystem.
2. Engagement of Other Sectoral Bodies: Efforts will be made to reach out to sectoral bodies that were not represented at the emergency meeting to involve them in future discussions about the industry’s evolution, growth, and challenges.
3. Legal Committee: A four-man ad hoc committee comprising entertainment and music legal practitioners will assess the mandates of current sectoral bodies and advise on whether legal instruments governing these bodies need strengthening to align with the industry’s evolving demands.
4. Next Round Table Discussion: Two members each from the leadership of sectoral bodies will further discuss the issues raised during the summit in two weeks. They will develop an action plan to be presented to the larger congregation at the next meeting, scheduled to take place in one month’s time.
5. Government Collaboration: Efforts will be made to involve relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government (MDAs) in a committee to develop a legal framework and mobilize support for the establishment of a music institute by an act of parliament.
6. Industry Consolidation: Participants recognized the need for an umbrella body to consolidate various sectoral bodies within the music industry. This consolidation is expected to create a more supportive and collaborative environment for growth.
7. Continuous Education: It was agreed that continuous education and engagement of sectoral bodies regarding their roles, responsibilities, obligations, and benefits to internal and external players in the music industry are essential.
8. Future Summits: Participants concluded that another edition of the Summit Meeting of the Nigerian Music Industry should be held within one month.

This emergency summit marks a significant step in addressing the challenges facing the Nigerian music industry. The resolutions and action plans adopted reflect a collective commitment to shaping the industry’s future positively. Up to 60 industry players participated in the summit, including prominent figures such as Dr. Kenny Ogungbe, Sunny Neji, Pretty Okafor (PMAN President), Olumide Mustapha (Chairman, MPAN), Sijuade Adedokun (President AMAMN), Chinedu Chukwuji (National Coordinator, RELPI), Mayo Ayilaran (DG/CEO, MCSN), Ara, Laolu Akins, Joel Ajayi