Do we have more female Nigerian musicians now?

The role of women in the Nigerian music industry has always been seen in terms of the creative scene. When the role of the Nigerian woman is described in music, the singers come to mind every time.

From Christy Essien-Igbokwe to Onyeka Onwenu, and now Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, women have always been discussed in the Nigerian music industry as singers and creators of content, who are involved in the spread of the art via recording and performing.

No one can be blamed for that. The music industry is designed to be a public arena for the music and its creators to hug the spotlight, because that in itself drives sales and make the business profitable.

In Nigeria, it is more pronounced. People rarely see the women at the back end of things. The business executives, the music producers, the DJs and more. Only the stars get the shine.

In the front end, some of our greatest Nigerian artistes have been women. Although their numbers have never really impressed at every point in time, but the women have been loud and contributors. This they have done against the tide. Women in Nigeria have always had to deal with a sexist and misogynistic society which has restricted them from flying high.

But the tides are turning. Women have fought for their freedoms and expressions. And this has created a huge inflow of women into the creative arts. Music has been blessed by this, and we have seen a huge in-flow in the Nigerian music industry.

There are women occupying more positions now. In the creative parts, Nigeria is blessed with a huge number of female singers all through the various ranks and niche markets. In contemporary pop music, we have Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Waje, Omawumi, Niniola, Simi, Seyi Shay, Chidinma and a few others who are working hard at their craft and giving women voices.

In the past, this hasn’t been possible. We have had few women at the top of the music chain pushing the art. A look back at the recorded Nigerian scene will provide you just a few names. Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Eviana Ogolee, Salawa Abeni, Evi Edna Ogholi and a few others. Today, we have twice that number driving the conversation about African music at the highest levels.

Go lower than the top shelf, and you find a world of female Nigerian artistes, who are driving the conversations via social media. We have a healthy amount of women involved with music, and chasing it as a profession without boundaries and inhibitions.

Although there have been occasional cases of systemic intimidation and abuse. These cases are isolated and does nothing in the general scheme of things to limit female participation and inclusion.