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.
Elizabeth Sobowale is a seasoned artist manager and the Program Director for Music Business Academy for Africa, with over nine years of experience in talent management. Since 2022, she has managed award-winning Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold, guiding his creative and brand strategy during a pivotal phase of his career.
In March 2023, Adekunle Gold was signed to Def Jam Recordings. In a statement with Billboard, the CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Tunji Balogun, announced Adekunle Gold’s signing to the label.
Sobowale quickly earned Adekunle Gold’s trust by aligning with his vision and attention to detail. She highlights the organic success of his hit single Party No Dey Stop, which broke streaming records on Spotify Nigeria and topped the Official Nigeria Top 100 charts.
Beyond artist management, Elizabeth is known for her talent scouting, securing major brand partnerships, and deploying innovative promotional strategies that elevate artists in a highly competitive industry. She also manages Pheelz and previously worked extensively with Cuppy, overseeing her brand and projects for nearly seven years.
