Nigeria’s music industry has evolved into a $2 billion powerhouse, propelled by a wave of chart-topping artists whose influence extends far beyond the country’s borders.
In 2023 alone, Nigerian artists generated millions in royalties from global platforms, with Spotify reporting a 25% year-on-year increase in payouts to local acts.
The sector’s rapid growth is also feeding the broader economy, boosting tourism, fashion, nightlife, and digital exports.
Yet behind every hit single and sold-out tour stands a cadre of strategic power players: the artist managers. These professionals negotiate contracts, shape public images, and craft the global rollouts that turn local tracks into international anthems.
This list highlights some of Nigeria’s most influential artist managers between 2023 and 2025, selected based on their role in shaping the success of some of the country’s biggest chart-topping musicians.
This research draws from publicly available data across multiple music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Boomplay, and Audiomack, as well as industry reports, interviews, and press coverage.
The selection process considered the following criteria:
- The number of hit songs managed artists have released in the last two to three years, measured by consistent presence on streaming and download charts.
- Sustained relevance over the period under review, rather than short-term spikes in popularity.
- Management consistency, measured by how well the manager has navigated challenges, market shifts, and career growth for their artist.
Note: this is not a ranking but a curated spotlight on the strategists behind Nigeria’s biggest music successes.
The duo, Muyiwa Awoniyi (Donawon) and Wale “Tec” Davies, are the artist managers for Tems, who came to the limelight in 2020 with the global success of Essence, her collaboration with Wizkid.
Wale “Tec” Davies, one-half of the rap duo Show Dem Camp, is a versatile creative—artist, talent manager, label owner, filmmaker, and co-founder of media company Fatherlandlive. After studying at the University of Brighton and working in finance in Amsterdam, he returned to Nigeria and met Tems in 2018 after hearing her debut single, Mr. Rebel. Their partnership began with Palmwine Music projects and evolved into full-time management.
Muyiwa Awoniyi, host of The Donawon Pod, previously managed Nonso Amadi and Omah Lay. He first connected with Tems through an introduction from Rotimi Rudeboy, who informed him that Wizkid wanted to work with her. This meeting paved the way for Essence and Tems’ international breakout.
Under their guidance, Tems has achieved a Grammy win, Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, collaborations with Future, Drake, Rihanna, and a prominent role on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. In 2024, she released her debut album Born in the Wild to critical acclaim, followed by a sold-out global tour.
