7 Ways Musicians Make Money in Nigeria (Online and Offline)

The music industry can be challenging for musicians to make a living, especially in a country like Nigeria, where the industry is still developing.

However, with hard work and determination, musicians can find ways to monetize their talent and make a living from their art.

In this article, you will be learning seven ways musicians legitimately make money in Nigeria online and offline.

By combining these methods, you can create a sustainable career in the music industry and make a living from your passion for music.

Table of Contents

7 Ways Musicians Make Money Daily in Nigeria

Live performances

Live performances are a common way musicians make money. These include concerts, festivals, and private parties. Musicians are paid to perform at these events, and may also be able to sell merchandise such as t-shirts and CDs to attendees. In addition, live performances are a great way to connect with your fans and showcase your talent to a wider audience.

One of the benefits of live performances is that they allow you to reach many people at once, depending on the size of the crowd.

However, there are also some challenges to making money from live performances. One of the challenges is that you will have to travel to different locations for shows, which can be time-consuming and costly. There may be competition for gigs, and you may have to work with event organizers and promoters to secure bookings.

Despite these challenges, many musicians make money through live performances, and use it as a valuable source of income and an important part of their music career.

Selling physical copies of their music

Selling physical copies of music is a way that musicians make money daily in Nigeria. This can include CDs, vinyl records, and cassette tapes.

Many fans appreciate owning a physical copy of their favorite artist’s music, and you can sell these copies at concerts, through their website, or online retailers like Amazon or eBay.

To sell physical copies of their music through online retailers, you would need to set up an account and follow the retailer’s guidelines for listing and selling products. In addition to the sales price, you can also earn money from the manufacturing and distribution of physical copies of their music.

One benefit of selling physical copies of music is that it provides a tangible product for fans to own. Many people enjoy collecting physical copies of music, whether for sentimental value or to support their favorite artists.

Streams on music platforms

Streaming music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music is another way that musicians make money in Nigeria.

These platforms allow users to listen to music for a fee, and musicians can earn a portion of this fee when their music is played.

Youtube and SoundCloud are other streaming platforms where musicians make money from their music. By uploading your music to these platforms and promoting your work, you can reach a wide audience and generate income from your music.

One benefit of streaming is that it provides a convenient way for fans to access and listen to music. Many people use streaming platforms as their primary source of music.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the amount of money a musician can make from streaming will depend on the specific terms of the platform and the number of streams they receive.

Music licensing

Licensing music for use in TV shows, movies, and commercials is a way Nigerian musicians make money. This involves allowing their music to be used in the media in exchange for a fee.

Media companies may approach musicians, or you may need to seek out opportunities to license your music proactively.

In addition to the initial fee, as a musician, you may also earn additional income from using your music in the media.

Licensing music for use in media can be a good way to reach a wider audience and to generate additional income.

Sponsorships or endorsements

Earning money from music-related sponsorships or endorsements is a way that musicians make additional income in Nigeria. This involves partnering with companies to promote their products or services in exchange for a fee or other compensation.

As a musician, you may be approached by companies, or may need to seek sponsorship or endorsement opportunities proactively. Sponsorships and endorsements can be a good way to make additional income and gain exposure to new audiences.

However, it’s important to carefully consider the brands you choose to work with and ensure that the partnership aligns with your values and image.

Recording deals

Recording deals are a major way that musicians make money in Nigeria. Through a contract with a record label, musicians receive a portion of the profits from the sale of their music and potentially receive monthly salaries, luxury cars, and luxury apartments.

In addition, these deals provide financial support for the recording and promotion of your music and can be a foundation for other sources of income. Therefore, musicians need to carefully consider the terms of any recording deal and ensure that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

YouTube videos

Musicians can make money through YouTube by uploading their music to the platform and earning income from ads that play before or during their songs.

In addition to streaming their music, musicians can also create and monetize music-related content, such as music lessons or behind-the-scenes videos.

YouTube can be a good way for musicians to reach a wide audience and to generate income from their music.

It’s important for musicians to understand the terms of the YouTube Partner Program and to optimize their content for maximum visibility and earnings.

Conclusion

Becoming a musician in Nigeria requires talent and the ability to develop and hone one’s skills. You need to understand the type of music that resonates with audiences and work with experienced producers who can help you succeed. These are what has helped successful musicians in Nigeria such as Olamide, Davido and Wizkid.