2025 was another blockbuster year for Nigerian music, except for one glaring, uncomfortable truth: female artists were almost completely absent from the major Spotify rankings.
Not “under-represented.” Not “barely there.” Absent.
On Spotify’s official list of Most Streamed Artists in Nigeria (2025), the first woman doesn’t appear until #24 (Ayra Starr). The next? Tems at #40. The rest of the Top 50 is a boys’ club with a few international exceptions ( Drake, Gunna, Metro Boomin), but not a single Nigerian woman in sight. 
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It gets worse.
Most Streamed Songs? Zero women.
Most Streamed Albums? Zero women again.
Even the breakout newcomers ruling the charts (Fido, Kunmie, Faceless, FOLA) are all male.
Spotify had to create a separate list titled “Most Streamed Female Artists in Nigeria (2025)” just to acknowledge them. And even on that list, three of the Top 10 are foreign acts: Billie Eilish, SZA, and Rihanna.
So… what exactly is going on?
One X user put it bluntly:
Another was stunned at the total shutout from the album charts:
“Not a single sister — not one female artist — appears in Nigeria’s Top 10 albums this year. Why? Structure? Visibility? Gatekeeping? Something deeper?”
Is The Nigerian Music Industry Failing Its Women?
The questions are valid because Nigerians love female stars. Tems is a Grammy winner. Ayra Starr just dropped a globally acclaimed album. Tiwa Savage, Qing Madi, Darkoo; these are not niche names.
Yet, the data shows a reality fans may not want to confront: female Nigerian artists aren’t being streamed by Nigerians at the same volume as their male peers, not even close. Still, these female acts are top performers, but their listenership comes mainly from outside the country. This imbalance explains why Ayra Starr is our biggest export but is 24th placed on the country’s ranking. Why does this imbalance exist?
- Is it marketing?
- Is it audience bias?
- Is it release timing?
- Or is the industry simply not giving women enough consistent push?
In my opinion, we can blame “sexism!” As a guy, have you ever wondered why you’re perceived to be less of a man because your favourite artist is “Simi,” “Tiwa Savage,’ or “Ayra Starr”? Are only women the right fans for a female artist? I believe that with more male followership for female acts, this imbalance can be reduced significantly.
Overall, 2025’s numbers are disappointing and revealing. If the trend continues into 2026, it won’t just be a music story. It’ll be a cultural one.
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