International Women’s Day 206: 7 Nigerian women shaping the music industry

Ayra Starr, Simi and Tiwa Savage

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are defining the sound of Nigerian music. 

From chart-topping Afrobeats hits to soulful R&B and experimental sounds, these female artists are breaking boundaries, inspiring a generation, and showing the world that Nigerian women are forces to be reckoned with in music.

1. Tiwa Savage
Often called the “Queen of Afrobeats,” Tiwa Savage has spent over a decade dominating the Nigerian music scene. With global collaborations, hit singles, and a bold presence, she continues to inspire young female artists to dream big and push boundaries.

2. Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade is celebrated for her vibrant performances and infectious Afro-pop sound. Known for hits like Johnny and her global recognition, she has become one of Africa’s most influential female musicians.

3. Simi
Singer-songwriter Simi blends soul, pop, and Afrobeat to create music that resonates across generations. Her thought-provoking lyrics and emotive vocals have cemented her as one of Nigeria’s most beloved contemporary artists.

4. Tems
With her distinctive voice and international collaborations, Tems has taken Nigerian music to the global stage. From Grammy-nominated tracks to viral hits, she represents the growing global influence of Nigerian women in music.

5. Teni
Known for her versatility and energetic performances, Teni has become a household name in Afropop. Her music blends humor, storytelling, and infectious melodies, earning her widespread acclaim and a devoted fanbase.

6. Niniola
Niniola is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading voices in Afro-house. With her energetic rhythms and electrifying stage performances, she has solidified her position as a powerhouse in both Nigerian and international music circles.

7. Ayra Starr
The star of Nigerian Afropop, Ayra Starr has taken the industry by storm with her energetic vocals, catchy hooks, and boundary-pushing style. She represents the future of Nigerian music and has already achieved both local and international recognition.

Omah Lay sets April 3 release date for highly anticipated sophomore album

Afrobeats star Omah Lay has officially revealed the release date for his long-awaited sophomore album, giving fans reason to start the countdown. 

The award-winning singer announced on February 6, 2026, that Clarity of Mind will drop on April 3, a project he has been teasing for nearly two years.

The upcoming album will feature 12 tracks, including previously released singles Holy Ghost, Waist, and the more recent Don't Love Me. 

While Omah Lay has yet to unveil the full tracklist or guest appearances, long-time collaborator and producer Tempoe is expected to handle much of the project’s production. 

Tempoe, who produced a significant portion of Omah Lay’s debut album Boy Alone as well as the Grammy-nominated hit With You with Davido, confirmed he has contributed to two tracks on the new album.

Fans have set high expectations for Clarity of Mind, anticipating that it will meet or surpass the commercial and critical success of Omah Lay’s debut. 

The singer himself has stoked excitement, claiming the album will serve as definitive proof of his status as one of the greatest of his generation.

"This album is the proof of my time, my generation, and my sound," Omah Lay hinted, promising a project that reflects his growth as an artist and his vision for Afrobeats.

With the release date now official, anticipation is building for what could be another landmark moment in Omah Lay’s career.

Tiwa Savage partners with Berklee to launch music programme in Lagos, Nigeria

 

Tiwa Savage

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.

Taking to X, the award-winning singer revealed the launch of TSMF Official, a platform dedicated to supporting and nurturing the next generation of talent across the continent.

“After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home,” she wrote, signalling a renewed focus on investing in Nigeria and the wider African creative industry.

As part of the initiative, Savage announced that, for the first time, the prestigious Berklee College of Music will be coming to Lagos for the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program. 

The programme is designed to provide aspiring artists with direct access to high-quality music education, mentorship and industry insights.

The move marks a significant milestone, bringing one of the world’s leading music institutions to Nigeria and creating new opportunities for young African creatives to develop their craft at an international standard without leaving the continent.

Savage said the programme is focused on empowering Africa’s next generation of talent, reinforcing her commitment to giving back to the industry that shaped her career.

See more details below:

For the first time ever, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program empowering Africa’s next generation of talent.

Apply Here - https://t.co/YndRfhRbIc#BerkleeTSMF pic.twitter.com/PMgOge3vTl

— Tiwa Savage Music Foundation (@TSMFOFFICIAL) February 25, 2026

Simi defends old daycare tweets, says they were misinterpreted

Simi

Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi has spoken out following renewed scrutiny over some of her social media posts from over a decade ago, insisting that the tweets were misinterpreted and unrelated to any improper conduct.

The controversy reignited after the singer voiced strong opinions against rape, sparked by conversations around the Mirabel TikToker case, which gained traction online. 

Simi condemned sexual violence, saying rapists should be punished and calling on men to stop assaulting women, noting that “almost every woman I know has been sexually assaulted.” 

Her statements triggered online debates, prompting critics to resurface her older tweets.

On Sunday, Simi took to social media to clarify her position.

 “I haven’t been on Twitter today – but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention and I can’t not address it,” she wrote.

The singer explained that the posts dated back to 2012, when she was living with her mother and helping out at her mother’s daycare while building her music career. 

“In 2012, I lived and helped out at my mom’s daycare while I was hustling my music. I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time,” she said.

Addressing the nature of the posts, Simi said they reflected casual observations about children at the daycare. 

“Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion.”

She also stressed that she would not allow her past comments to be “twisted” into false narratives.

“What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she added.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation, some of the tweets have been removed. 

“My team has been deleting some of my tweets because of how sensitive it is for my family. To be honest, I did not want to,” Simi said.

Some of the posts that circulated online included a tweet from November 12, 2013, saying, “I wonder if anyone’s ever used breast milk to bake cake before,” as well as others referencing children at the daycare, such as: “David has a crush on me. He kips comn close; actin lik he wana lock lips n den he puts his head on my lap. Shd I giv him a chance? P.S: Hes 4” and “love to kiss d kids at my mum’s daycare, they’re super adorable and I’m crazy abt ’em.”

Responding to the resurfaced tweets, Simi insisted the remarks were never intended to suggest anything inappropriate.

 “I’ve never been depraved in my life,” she wrote.

She reiterated her long-standing stance against sexual violence, highlighting that her recent statements were consistent with her beliefs. 

“I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault, even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing, it’s who I am. I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”

Fido breaks silence with heartfelt apology, promises growth and deeper music

Fido

Nigerian fast-rising star Fido has publicly apologised following recent controversy, admitting that fame came faster than he was prepared for and that he mishandled certain moments along the way.

In a lengthy statement shared on social media, the Afrobeats act acknowledged that stardom changed his life almost overnight, and that he struggled to keep up internally while the world watched his rapid ascent.

“There’s no easy way to write this, so I’ll just say it plainly. I messed up,” he began. 

“Stardom came into my life quickly. One minute I was dreaming about it, the next minute I was living it. And while the world was watching me grow, I was still trying to understand who I was inside that growth.”

Though Fido did not go into specifics about the incident that sparked backlash, he admitted that ego, excitement and inexperience played a role in his actions.

“Along the way, I made mistakes. I said things that should never have been said. I allowed ego, excitement, and inexperience to influence some of my decisions. That’s not who I want to be. And it’s not who I’m becoming.”

He extended a direct apology to his supporters and the wider Afrobeats community, including pioneers of the genre.

“To my fans, the ones who stream the music, defend me, pray for me, and believe in me, I am sorry. To the global Afrobeats community, the legends and godfathers who opened these doors before me, my colleagues and everyone who felt disappointed by my words or actions, I apologise. Truly.”

Fido framed the moment as a turning point, describing it as a choice between pride and humility.

“There are moments in life when you either double down on pride or you humble yourself and grow. I chose to step back. I chose to listen. I chose to reflect.”

He added, “It takes strength to admit you were wrong. It takes maturity to retrace your steps. I’m doing both.”

The singer assured fans that he is taking the lessons seriously and entering a new phase with a different mindset. “The man walking into this next chapter is more grounded, more aware, and more respectful of the platform he’s been given,” he wrote, promising that his upcoming music will come from “a deeper place. A more honest place. A more grateful place.”

Closing his message, Fido thanked those who held him accountable rather than cancelling him, as well as those who chose to stand by him.

“This is growth. This is maturity. This is me doing better. It’s game time again.”