The global rise of Nigerian music has been driven not only by its artists but also by executives working behind the scenes, including women whose leadership is helping shape the industry’s growth. While artists are often the public faces of that success, executives negotiate deals, develop talent, build international partnerships and manage careers that keep the industry moving forward. Among them are women whose work continues to influence how Nigerian music is created, marketed and exported.

Here are some of the women working across different areas of the Nigerian music industry.

Temi Adeniji

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As Managing Director of Warner Music Africa and Senior Vice President, Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and Special Projects at Warner Music Group, Temi Adeniji oversees the company’s operations across the region. During her time at Warner Music, she has helped drive the company’s expansion in Africa through investments and partnerships, including a majority stake in Africori and a strategic alliance with Chocolate City. She has also been involved in the international growth of African artists, with Warner Music supporting the global rise of CKay’s Love Nwantiti, one of the biggest Afrobeats crossover records in recent years. Her work spans business strategy, artist development and long-term growth across African markets.

Rima Tahini

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Rima Tahini is Senior Vice President, A&R and Creatives at Mavin Global. She joined the company after working on Kupanda Capital’s investment in Mavin before moving into artist and repertoire (A&R), where she steadily rose through the ranks. Today, she leads Mavin’s A&R and creative teams, working closely with artists on music development, release planning and creative direction. During her time at the label, Mavin artists including Rema and Ayra Starr have expanded their global reach through international chart success, award nominations and collaborations, reflecting the label’s growing influence in the global music business.

Ronami Ogulu

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Ronami Ogulu is part of the executive team at Spaceship Collective, the company that manages Burna Boy’s career. Her responsibilities include business operations, partnerships and long-term strategy for the Grammy-winning artist. During her time with Spaceship Collective, the company has overseen a period of significant international growth for Burna Boy, including major performances, sold-out tours and expanded global partnerships.

Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna

Photo: Instagram/@missamadi

Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of VA PR, a public relations agency with clients across music, television and entertainment. Over the years, she has worked with artists including Davido and Tiwa Savage, helping shape media campaigns and public communications around major career moments. Her agency was involved in the public relations campaign for Davido’s landmark concert at The O2 Arena in London, one of several projects that strengthened the international visibility of Nigerian music.

Princess Chizaram

Photo: Instagram/@theradiochef

Princess Chizaram, popularly known as TheRadioChef, is an A&R Manager at Sony Music West Africa. In her role, she oversees the portfolios of artists including Qing Madi, Mayorkun, Gyakie and Oladapo, working across artist development and creative direction. She also served as a judge on the MTN Best of the Street talent competition, where she evaluated emerging musicians. In 2023, she was named among TurnTable Charts’ 30 Under 30 Power Players in Nigerian Music, recognising young professionals contributing to the growth of the industry.

Elizabeth Sobowale

Photo: Instagram/@elizabeth_sho

Elizabeth Sobowale is the founder of The Other Agency and the manager of Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold. She has overseen his career through major projects, including the Catch Me If You Can (2022) and Tequila Ever After (2023) album campaigns, helping shape both his artistic direction and commercial brand. Beyond artist management, she serves as Programme Director of the Creative Business Academy (CBA) for Africa, formerly known as the Music Business Academy for Africa. The academy trains emerging professionals across the creative industries and has partnered with organisations such as Spotify to deliver industry-focused programmes and masterclasses.

Keke Hammond

Photo: Instagram/@kekehammond

Keke Hammond is the Chief Operating Officer of Flytime Promotions and the Chief Executive Officer of Road14 Studios. At Flytime, she oversees the operational planning, sponsorships and commercial partnerships behind some of Nigeria’s biggest live music events. Her work has been central to the growth of Flytime Fest, which has expanded into a multi-day festival featuring Nigerian and international artists, including Davido, Asake, Rema and Central Cee. Through her leadership on the business and production side, she has helped strengthen one of Africa’s most established live entertainment platforms.

The success of Nigerian music is often measured by chart performance, sold-out concerts and international awards. Behind many of those achievements, however, are executives handling negotiations, partnerships, publicity, career planning and business strategy. As Nigerian music continues to reach new audiences around the world, the industry’s future will depend not only on the artists on stage but also on the executives making key decisions behind the scenes.

A new week often comes with a fresh set of songs to explore, and this latest lineup of releases offers a mix of sounds for different listening moods. From polished Afrobeats to highlife-inspired melodies and a cross-Caribbean collaboration, these records bring together familiar voices and distinct musical approaches.

Whether you’re updating your playlist for the morning commute or looking for something new to play during the day, these four songs are worth checking out.

Victony – “Slick”

Victony opens the list with “Slick”, a concise single that leans into the melodic style he has become known for. Released on July 8, the record blends soft percussion with a laid-back rhythm, allowing his vocals to remain the focal point. Despite its brief runtime of under two minutes, “Slick” packs enough melody and replay value to leave a lasting impression.

Timaya feat. Duncan Mighty – “Kontrol”

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Another notable release this week is “Kontrol”, a collaboration between Timaya and Duncan Mighty. The collaboration brings together two artists whose careers have long been associated with the musical traditions of Nigeria’s South-South region. The song draws from highlife and Afrobeats, with live-sounding instrumentation and melodies that reflect both artists’ musical backgrounds. Rather than competing for attention, Timaya and Duncan Mighty complement each other throughout the record, resulting in a performance that feels balanced and natural.

Mr Eazi feat. Vybz Kartel & Dre Skull – “Lambo”

Photo: Instagram

Mr Eazi takes a different route on “Lambo”, featuring Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel alongside producer Dre Skull. The collaboration brings together Afrobeats and dancehall without forcing either style to dominate the other. Mr Eazi keeps his trademark relaxed delivery, while Vybz Kartel adds a contrasting energy that gives the track another dimension. Dre Skull’s production ties the different influences together, making the record one of the week’s more internationally connected releases.

Fave feat. Chike – “Miss You”

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For listeners who prefer slower, emotionally driven music, “Miss You” by Fave featuring Chike offers a different experience. Lifted from Fave’s 2026 EP RNBLING, the song centres on longing and emotional distance, themes both singers have explored throughout their careers. Their voices blend smoothly over restrained production, allowing the lyrics and melodies to carry the weight of the record. Chike’s contribution adds depth without overshadowing Fave, making the collaboration feel well matched from beginning to end.

Photo: Instagram

This week’s selection reflects the variety that continues to define Nigerian music. Victony delivers a polished Afrobeats single, Timaya and Duncan Mighty draw on the highlife-inspired sounds that have long shaped their musical identities, Mr Eazi connects Lagos and Kingston on one record, while Fave and Chike close the list with a heartfelt duet. Together, these releases offer listeners a well-rounded playlist to begin the week, regardless of whether they’re in the mood for upbeat rhythms or reflective songwriting.

Starting a new week with fresh music can be an easy way to discover different sounds and reconnect with artists who continue to shape Nigeria’s music scene. Recent releases have offered a mix of Afrobeats, hip-hop and cross-border collaborations, giving listeners several options to add to their playlists.

From Ayra Starr‘s reflective storytelling to Falz’s socially conscious lyricism, these four songs bring distinct perspectives while showcasing the range that exists within contemporary Nigerian music.

“Tornado” by Ayra Starr

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Ayra Starr’s “Tornado,” released on June 12, 2026, presents a more introspective side of the singer as she explores themes of confidence, self-worth and personal growth. The record combines her familiar blend of Afropop and R&B influences with polished production that allows her vocals to take centre stage. Alongside it’s energetic rhythm, she leans into storytelling, creating a song that balances vulnerability with confidence. It is a reminder of her ability to move between upbeat records and more thoughtful material without losing her identity as an artist.

“Man on a Mission” by Chris Brown featuring Wizkid

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Although led by American singer Chris Brown, “Man on a Mission” stands out for Wizkid‘s contribution. The collaboration appears on Chris Brown’s BROWN (The Chocolate Edition), released on June 19, 2026.

The song blends smooth melodies with a relaxed tempo, allowing both artists to complement each other’s styles. Wizkid’s presence adds a familiar Afrobeats influence that Nigerian listeners may appreciate, making the track a notable addition for those interested in international collaborations involving Nigerian stars.

“Ole” by Falz

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With “Ole,” Falz returns to the socially conscious approach that has defined much of his career. The title, which translates to “thief” in Yoruba, is taken from his project “Break Time”.

The rapper uses the song to address issues affecting society, choosing direct language and sharp lyricism over dance-floor trends. His delivery remains measured throughout, allowing the message to remain at the forefront. It is another example of Falz’s commitment to using music as a platform for commentary while maintaining his signature style.

“Elumelu” by Young John

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As released on May 29, 2026, “Elumelu” marked Young John‘s first single of the year. The record embraces a playful atmosphere.

Known for his work as both a producer and performer, Young John delivers a song built around catchy melodies and a light Afrobeats groove. The production remains simple enough to let his personality shine through, resulting in an easy listen that fits different moods.

These four songs highlight different directions within Nigerian music today. Whether through introspective songwriting, social commentary or collaborative efforts, they offer listeners a varied selection to begin the week with while reflecting the diversity that continues to define the industry.