Understanding Music Royalties and Distribution in Nigeria

Nigerian music has never travelled further or faster than it does today, yet a surprising number of artists still don't fully understand how they get paid for it. Here's a practical breakdown.

The two royalty types

Performance royalties are earned when your song is played publicly — radio, TV, clubs, streaming. Mechanical royalties come from reproductions of the work, such as downloads and physical copies. In Nigeria, organisations like COSON exist to collect and distribute performance royalties on behalf of registered members.

Digital distribution

Platforms and aggregators now let independent Nigerian artists release directly to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and Audiomack without needing a label deal. Distribution fees and payout structures vary widely, so it pays to read the contract before uploading your next single.

Splits and ownership

If a song involves a producer, a featured artist, or a co-writer, agree on percentage splits before the song is released — not after it starts making money. A simple written agreement, even a one-page split sheet signed after a studio session, prevents most future disputes.

Why this matters at the studio stage

The session itself is the right time to sort this out. When a beat, vocal, and mix all come together at Quavers Studio, we encourage artists and collaborators to agree on credits and splits before the final master leaves the building.