Nigerian singer Harrysong has urged the government to put proper systems in place to protect artists’ work and tackle widespread music piracy.
The Afrobeats star made this call on Thursday during the Youth Forum segment of Channels Television’s special programme marking President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
Themed ‘Pressing Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Youth’, the programme featured key stakeholders and government officials addressing challenges in sectors such as education, health, business, and the creative industry.
Speaking during a panel discussion on the creative sector, Harrysong said government intervention is crucial in solving these problems and called for open dialogue between policymakers and experienced industry players.
“The government must engage those who understand the business. If we can have that conversation and they are truly willing to address the issues, I believe we’ll make progress,” he said.
The ‘Reggae Blues’ crooner emphasised the need for a proper structure to ensure transparency and accountability within the industry.
Without such systems, he noted, it becomes difficult to reinvest earnings locally or to host profitable concerts in Nigeria.
“We need a structure that locks this system so that we know what goes in and what comes out. If we can protect the music, we can sell the tickets. But if the songs are pirated, we can’t recoup investments or plan shows confidently,” he explained.
Artists Struggling, Rely On International Platforms
Harrysong lamented that Nigerian artists struggle to generate income from their local fan base due to widespread music piracy, pushing many to seek financial opportunities abroad.
“Most of the time, you’ll hear musicians here in Nigeria complain that our people don’t buy tickets.
“People outside the country pay to buy the music; they stream, they subscribe. But our people at home hack the sound. So you don’t even make back the money you invested in that particular song,” he said.
The singer explained that artists often rely on earnings from countries like the United Kingdom, where platforms like iTunes and Spotify offer transparent revenue systems.
“When you check your iTunes backup, from London, from the UK, from different countries, you’ll see how much people are buying the music. Meanwhile, Nigerians here try to cut corners to get the same song for free. That’s where piracy comes in,” he said.
For years, Nigeria’s music industry—particularly the Afrobeats genre—has gained massive global recognition, with several homegrown stars dominating international charts and stages.
However, this rise to fame has come with a trade-off. Many Nigerian artists are now shifting focus to international markets, where stronger digital infrastructure and copyright protections allow them to earn more from their music.
For stars like Asake and Wizkid, selling out global venues like the O2 Arena in London has become the new measure of success, seen as a greater feat than hosting concerts on home soil.
But in a bid to reverse this trend, the Lagos State Government in 2024 announced plans to build a 12,000-capacity entertainment arena by December 2025.
The ongoing Youth Forum event also features government ministers, including Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior), Bosun Tijani (Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy), Ayodele Olawande (Youth Development), and John Enoh (State for Industry), who will insights into ongoing government efforts to support the creative industry and tackle youth challenges.
