Nigerians Listen to Music More than any other Country - IFPI Engaging with Music 2022

IFPI, representing the recording industry worldwide, today released Engaging with Music 2022, a global report on how people around the world enjoy and engage with music.

Based on the responses of more than 44,000 people across 22 countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, the report is the largest music study of its kind. Highlights of the 2022 findings include: Average weekly time listening to music in Nigeria is 30.4 hours.

Nigerian music fans are listening to more music than any other country in IFPI’s global study, spending on average of 30.4 hours listening to music weekly.

Music is integral to Nigerians’ mental and physical wellbeing – Music plays a vital role supporting both mental health and physical activity. 82% of Nigerian respondents say music is important to their mental health and 87% agree that music is important when they exercise.

Music is central to people’s engagement with short form video apps – 67% of time spent on short form video apps in Nigeria was on music-focused videos.

Nigerian people listen to diverse range of music genres – Afrobeats, gospel and Nigerian Hip-Hop and Rap are the most popular genres in the country.

Music is a great source of national pride in Nigeria – 87% people surveyed in Nigeria feel proud when a music artist from Nigeria is globally successful.

Unauthorised access to unlicensed music is a major threat to the local music ecosystem – 88% of respondents had used unauthorised or unlicensed methods to listen to or download music.

Frances Moore, IFPI Chief Executive, said: “This year’s Engaging with Music report paints a fascinating picture of how fans around the globe listen and engage with music today. Working with artists to bring them their greatest creative and commercial success, record companies are harnessing new technologies – including in-gaming and health and fitness apps – to make it possible for music fans to connect with their favourite artists and tracks in even more ways.”

“However, there remains work to be done ensuring that those seeking to profit from unlicensed and unauthorised music can’t threaten the vibrancy of a music ecosystem that is essential to artists and fans. Engaging with Music 2022 serves as a healthy and celebratory reminder of the true global importance and value of music – and the need to protect and support it,” Moore said.

IFPI’s SSA Regional Director, Angela Ndambuki, added: “Engaging with Music 2022 shows just how vibrant and exciting the Nigerian music scene is, with Nigerian music fans listening to more music than any other country in the study. However, it also reminds us that we must remain diligent in ensuring that the music industry within Nigeria grows sustainably and that we continue to support those who are investing in local music and artists in their work to build a healthy music ecosystem in the country.”