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.
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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.
1. Asa Asika – Manager of Davido
Asa Asika is a Nigerian talent manager best known for managing Afrobeats superstar Davido and co-founding The Plug, a multifaceted entertainment company with subsidiaries in music, sports, publishing, live events, and film. His first stint as Davido’s manager began at the genesis of the artist’s career, guiding him through breakout hits like Back When and Dami Duro. The two parted ways soon after, with Kamal Ajiboye taking over during the Aye and Gobe era.
After four years, in 2017, Davido and Ajiboye ended their partnership over creative differences, and Asa returned as manager under The Plug Entertainment. His second tenure saw Davido achieve remarkable milestones, including going platinum in the US with If, selling out London’s O2 Arena twice, and securing major international collaborations. Asa’s work also extended to other acts in 2014, he signed Naeto C, Boj (of DRB LasGidi), and Ayo Jay to his StarGaze Management Company before founding The Plug in 2016.
In 2018 and 2019, Asa won Artiste Manager of the Year at the City People Music Awards and The Beatz Awards, respectively. In March 2021, he received multiple RIAA plaques for Davido and Ayo Jay’s records.
Under Asa’s management, Davido’s Timeless album earned three Grammy nominations in 2023, including Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance for “Unavailable,” which also charted across the UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Suriname.
That same year, Chris Brown featured Davido and Lojay on Sensational, marking Davido’s debut on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In early 2024, Davido scored three nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards, launched Nine+ Records with UnitedMasters in April.
2. Bose Ogulu – Manager of Burna Boy
Bose Ogulu, fondly called Mama Burna, is a Nigerian academic, businesswoman, and one of Africa’s most prominent talent managers.
Ogulu first managed Burna Boy’s career from his early days until 2014, and after a short break, she returned in 2017, helping steer him toward international superstardom. Known for her charisma and bold stage presence, she has accepted numerous awards on his behalf, often delivering speeches that resonate beyond music.
Under her guidance, Burna Boy’s career has reached historic heights. His sixth studio album Love, Damini (July 2022) became the highest-debuting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 and set records in France, the Netherlands, and the UK.
In October 2022, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic for his contributions to music.
By 2023, Burna Boy had become the first African artist with two albums surpassing one billion streams each on Spotify, and Rolling Stone ranked him 197th on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time.
That same year, his hit Last Last swept the Afrobeats Single of the Year and Song of the Year at The Headies.
Beyond managing artists, Ogulu is the founder and CEO of Spaceship Collective — the umbrella for Spaceship Records and Spaceship Publishing. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 Headies Special Recognition Award, the Manager of the Year award at the Artists & Manager Awards, and the History Maker Award at the 2023 Best of Africa Awards.
Sean Okeke, popularly known as “Super Sean,” is the Vice President and Head of Operations at Jonzing World Entertainment and the strategic mind behind Rema’s global rise. With over a decade in talent management, including stints at List Entertainment Limited working with stars like D’banj, Wizkid, Omawumi, and D’Prince, Okeke built a reputation for securing brand partnerships, delivering high-impact PR campaigns, and crafting memorable live performances.
In 2019, he played a pivotal role in signing Rema to Jonzing World in partnership with Mavin Records.
Under his guidance, Rema released three EPs and, on March 25, 2022, dropped his debut album Rave & Roses, which featured Chris Brown, 6lack, AJ Tracey, and Yseult.
The album made history, charting ten tracks simultaneously on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chart in its debut week.
The smash hit Calm Down and its Selena Gomez remix soared to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, winning multiple awards, including MTV VMA’s Best Afrobeats Video and Billboard Music Award for Top Afrobeats Song.
By April 2023, Rave & Roses Ultra became the first African album to surpass two billion Spotify streams.
4. Sunday Are & Jada Pollock – Managers of Wizkid
Sunday Are, a veteran in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most respected artist managers. As CEO of List Entertainment Limited, a promotional and management company based in Lagos, he has shaped the success of numerous stars in Nigeria and beyond.
Are’s career spans decades, with an impressive portfolio that includes work with both local and international acts such as Chris Brown, Drake, Akon, Asa, Lagbaja, King Sunny Ade, 2Baba, D’banj, and Omawumi.
His journey with Wizkid began informally years ago, during the Mo’Hits era, when Wizkid often visited Wande Coal at Are’s house. Recognizing his talent early, Are believed that with the right guidance, Wizkid could achieve global success.
He officially managed Wizkid for six to seven years, guiding him through key career milestones and helping him “pay his dues” before becoming one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
Today, Wizkid is managed by Jada Pollock, a British music executive and entrepreneur, known for her work with Chris Brown, Tinchy Strider, and Skyla Tylaa. Together, Sunday Are’s foundational mentorship and Pollock’s global industry expertise have been instrumental in propelling Wizkid to sustained international stardom.
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.
Alexander Okeke has been a central force in shaping the careers of some of Nigeria’s most commercially successful artists, most notably Fireboy DML. Serving as Head of Talent and Business at YBNL Nation since 2012, Okeke oversees artist acquisition, brand positioning, and long-term strategy for the label’s roster, which includes Olamide, DJ Enimoney, and Fireboy.
He works closely with Oluwaseun “Mama Citizens” Fasehun, who handles Fireboy’s day-to-day management, creating a dual-management structure that blends business acumen with artist-focused guidance.
Okeke’s influence extends far beyond YBNL. Through his company, Red & Axla Logistics, and its events arm, The Red Room, he has driven high-level talent management, PR, and event production for over a decade. His résumé includes collaborations with Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Chidinma and Praiz, as well as production work for major shows such as Olamide Live in Concert (OLIC), One Africa Music Fest (London & Houston), Flytime Music Festival, and Warri Again (Lagos Edition).
In Fireboy’s case, Okeke’s strategic positioning helped propel albums like Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps (2019), Apollo (2020), Playboy (2022), and Adedamola (2024) to strong commercial performance, with hits like “Peru” (and its Ed Sheeran remix) cementing his status on global charts.
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.
8. Vanessa Amadi - Manager Of Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, Nigeria’s Queen of Afrobeats, is currently managed by Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna, a British-Nigerian music executive and talent manager with over two decades of experience. Before Vanessa took over, Tiwa was managed by Teebillz and Mekka Million, but those partnerships ended after falling out. Vanessa played a pivotal role in elevating Tiwa’s global presence, leading to her signing with Universal Music Group in 2019 and expanding her reach to over 60 countries.
Vanessa’s influence extends beyond management; she has produced major events like Davido’s sold-out O2 Arena concert in London and secured high-profile collaborations and brand endorsements for Tiwa. In July 2022, Tiwa received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Kent for her international impact and inspirational career.
In 2023, Tiwa co-produced and starred in the film Water & Garri, which explores themes of identity and reconciliation. She also performed at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert in May 2023, showcasing Nigerian culture through a custom Lanre da Silva gown.
Most recently, Tiwa featured on Craig David’s single “Commitment” in 2025, which charted on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. Under Vanessa’s leadership, Tiwa Savage continues to solidify her status as a global Afrobeats icon.
Yemi Alade’s manager is Taiye Aliyu, CEO of Effyzzie Music Group, the record label responsible for managing her career. Taiye Aliyu has played a critical role in Yemi Alade’s ascent to global stardom, growing the label from a zero-budget startup to a powerhouse that secured licensing deals with Universal Music Africa and Universal Music France. These partnerships expanded Yemi Alade’s reach worldwide, making her the exclusive global recorded music partner for Effyzzie.
In 2022, Yemi released the EP African Baddie, featuring collaborations with artists like Bisa Kdei. That same year, she earned a Grammy nomination for “Dignity,” a collaboration with Angelique Kidjo, in the Best Song for Social Change category, as well as a Grammy certificate for their work on Kidjo’s Mother Nature album. She also became the first Afrobeat artist nominated for a Latin Grammy with the song “Cónexion Total” alongside Bomba Estéreo.
Between 2023 and 2025, Yemi was featured on “Akwaba,” the official 2023 AFCON theme song, performed at the tournament’s opening, and released her amapiano-inspired EP Mamapiano.
In November 2024, she received a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance for her song “Tomorrow” from the Rebel Queen album. In 2025, Yemi also contributed the opening song for the animated series Iyanu, celebrating Nigerian culture and Yoruba mythology.
Alexa is a highly experienced artist manager with over a decade of expertise in running campaigns, marketing, and music promotion for clients. She has held senior roles at major music companies, including EMPIRE and TuneCore, and has worked with industry leaders like Believe, Capitol Records, and Def Jam Recordings. Her skills span integrated business planning, media strategy, project management, and event coordination, making her well-equipped to manage high-profile artists.
Alexa is the current manager of Nigerian superstar Asake. However, she is not his first manager. Asake was previously managed by YBNL Nation under Olamide Baddo’s leadership. After rising to prominence, Asake ended his contract with YBNL, with his former manager Stevenation stepping down, noting that Asake had outgrown the role. Now under Alexa’s management, Asake has achieved incredible milestones with his music.
Between 2023 and 2025, his hit singles like “Amapiano,” “Lonely At The Top (Remix),” “Wave,” “Gold,” and “BADMAN GANGSTA” have collectively amassed millions of streams across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. For instance, “Amapiano” broke records on Spotify Nigeria for the highest debut streams, while “BADMAN GANGSTA” quickly climbed Nigerian and international charts.
His music’s wide reception has earned him top spots on Nigeria’s Top 100 charts and significant airplay on major radio stations, solidifying his status as one of the leading artists in Afrobeats today.
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