Nigeria’s music industry has become a global phenomenon, with Afrobeats taking center stage in the global music conversation.
Valued at $1.8 billion and projected to generate $14.82 billion by 2025, the industry owes much of its success to the collaborative efforts of both artists and visual storytellers/directors.
While Nigerian artists are celebrated for their talent and creativity, the role of videographers in amplifying their success is undeniable.
These directors have played a key role in refining the look and feel of Nigerian music, creating visually compelling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. By crafting music videos that spin millions of views on platforms like YouTube, they have elevated the profiles of artists and extended the reach of their music far beyond Africa.
Videos like Davido’s Fall, Rema’s Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez, Wizkid’s Essence, and Burna Boy’s Last Last are not just popular tracks but cultural exports with high production value. These works have set new benchmarks for visual storytelling in Nigerian music, helping artists achieve viral success and attract significant international attention. For example, Calm Down boasts over a billion views on YouTube, a milestone made possible by the seamless blend of its audio and visual elements.
Beyond generating millions of views, these music videos have helped Nigerian artists secure brand deals, international collaborations, and global awards. The high production quality of these visuals has reshaped perceptions of Nigerian music, presenting it as polished, innovative, and ready for the global stage.
In this article, we spotlight 15 videographers who have been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of Nigeria’s music industry.
These professionals are not only enhancing the storytelling potential of music videos but are also positioning Nigerian music as a global leader in creativity and quality.
Meji Alabi, born on December 13, 1988, in London, is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, photographer, and producer. He has worked with prominent artists including Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, and others. Meji’s early life was marked by frequent moves due to his parents’ separation.
He lived in London, the Bahamas, and Texas, USA. He attended Spring Forest Middle School and Stratford High School in Texas, later graduating with a first-class summa cum laude distinction in Accounting and Finance from the University of West London, and a Licensed Vocational Nursing degree from St. Phillips College in San Antonio, Texas.
In 2014, Meji co-founded JM Films, a media and production company based in Lagos, Nigeria, and also co-founded Priorgold Pictures.
He gained early recognition in 2014 with his direction of Seyi Shay’s “Murda” music video, which earned nominations at the MTV Africa Music Awards. He also directed “Crazy” by Seyi Shay featuring Wizkid, which garnered multiple nominations in 2015.
Meji’s notable work includes directing music videos for Burna Boy’s hits like “On the Low,” “Gum Body,” and “Monsters You Made.” He also co-directed Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning “Brown Skin Girl” and has directed commercials for brands like Guinness, KFC, and Coca-Cola. Meji has won several awards, including Best Music Video at the Soundcity MVP Awards and Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
