Top 10 Richest Female Musicians In Nigeria
The Nigerian music industry is renowned for its dynamic and competitive landscape, boasting a plethora of gifted artists who've made their mark both locally and globally. While male artists typically dominate, a cohort of influential and equally talented female musicians have emerged as formidable forces in the industry.
The surge of women in the Nigerian music scene traces back to the 90s, when pioneers like Onyeka Onwenu, Evi-Edna Ogholi, Salawa Abeni, and Christy Essien-Igbokwe revolutionized the industry with their iconic hits. Notably, Salawa Abeni achieved a remarkable feat in 1976, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to sell over a million copies of her debut album, long before the advent of the internet.
In the contemporary era, propelled by the global reach of the internet and streaming platforms, Nigerian female artists are not only leaving their mark but also accumulating substantial wealth through their music careers.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the top 10 wealthiest female musicians in Nigeria for the years 2023/2024. Each artist's net worth, rise to fame, and notable achievements will be explored.
Top 10 Richest Female Musicians in Nigeria [2023/2024]
- Tiwa Savage - $9 million
- Yemi Alade - $5 million
- Asa - $1 to $5 million
- Omawumi - $3 million
- Chidinma - $2.8 million
- Sheyi Shay - $2.1 million
- Simi - $2 million
- Waje - $1.7 million
- Tems - $1 million
- Ayra Starr - $1 million
1. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, often hailed as the Queen of Afrobeats, reigns as the richest female musician in Nigeria with a staggering net worth of $9 million. Born in Ikeja, Lagos State, Tiwa's early years saw her relocating to London at the age of 11. Her pursuit of higher education eventually led her to the University of Kent, where she obtained a degree in Business Administration.
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Tiwa's musical journey commenced as a backup singer for renowned artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige during her time in the UK. This early exposure to the global music scene laid the foundation for her eventual ascent in the industry. In 2010, she released her breakthrough hit, 'Kele Kele', which sent ripples through the male-dominated industry, setting the stage for her meteoric rise.
Following her studies at the Berklee College of Music, Tiwa Savage made the pivotal move to Nigeria, joining Mavin Records in 2013. Her career has been punctuated by chart-topping hits and collaborations with international stars. Her appearance fee per show, a staggering $100,000, attests to her immense popularity and demand in the industry, further solidifying her status as Nigeria's wealthiest female musician.
2. Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade, affectionately known as Mama Africa, stands as a prominent Nigerian singer whose musical prowess spans diverse genres including Afro-pop, R&B, Highlife, and Dancehall. Her journey to stardom began with a resounding victory in the 2009 Peak Talent Show singing contest. Since then, she's released a string of chart-topping hits, each contributing significantly to her global recognition.
In 2014, with the release of Johnny, Yemi Alade made history as the first African female Afropop artist to amass over 89 million views on YouTube. The song's success, coupled with her consistent accolades, has firmly established her as one of Nigeria's wealthiest female artists, with a net worth of $5 million. This wealth is derived from her thriving music career, strategic endorsements, and her venture into fashion entrepreneurship.
3. Asa
Bukola Elemide, widely recognized as Asa, is a Nigerian-French singer celebrated for her eclectic music style and captivating stage performances. Despite being born in Paris, Asa spent much of her formative years in Lagos after her family's return to Nigeria when she was just two years old.
Asa's musical journey took a significant turn with the release of her debut hit single, 'Eye Adaba', before she even left for Paris. Her teachers, recognizing her prodigious talent, advised her to focus on her recordings, and in 2007, she released her eponymous album 'Asa', which achieved platinum status.
Since then, she's toured the world, captivating audiences with her soulful voice and infectious melodies. Despite her wealth and fame, Asa leads a modest and unassuming life. Her net worth, estimated between $1 to $5 million, reflects her influence in the music industry and her entrepreneurial endeavors.
4. Omawumi
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Omawumi Megbele, known simply as Omawumi, stands as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished and prosperous female artists. As of 2014, she was the highest-paid female artist in Nigeria, earning 5 million per show.
In May 2007, her talent took her to the prestigious stage of West African Idols, where she emerged as the first runner-up. This marked the turning point in her career, leading her to perform alongside some of the industry’s biggest names like P-Square, 2face Idibia, D’Banj, and others.
But her talent is not just limited to music, Omawumi is also a skilled actress, with roles in both Nigerian and international movies.
5. Chidinma
Chidinma discovered her passion for singing at the tender age of six. Her journey took a significant turn in 2010 when she emerged as the winner of the third season of Project Fame West Africa, earning her a production deal, a 2011 Toyota RAV4, and N2.5 million.
This marked the beginning of a musical odyssey that would see her release hits like “Jankoliko” and “Kedike”. Notably, her single “Emi Ni Baller” made history by propelling her to the number one spot on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart, solidifying her position as a leading female artist in Nigeria.
With a career spanning over a decade, Chidinma’s net worth has soared to an impressive $2.8 million. Her wealth isn’t solely from music; she’s also made ventures into acting and brand endorsements.
In 2021, Chidinma transitioned to gospel music and dedicated herself to Christian ministry. Her gospel single, “Jehovah Overdo”, released in May 2021, was met with acclaim, setting the stage for her debut gospel EP, “New Season”, which dropped in August of the same year.
6. Sheyi Shay
Seyi Shay‘s journey in music started early, influenced by the musical atmosphere in her household. Her mother was a chorister, her sister composed songs for the BBC, and her brother was a prominent DJ.
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Now, with a family packed with so many musical talents, Seyi Shay didn’t choose to be the black sheep. She started performing as early as six years old and even toured with the London Community Gospel Choir, a journey that took her to 13 cities in Japan.
As her career progressed, Seyi Shay decided to venture into Nigeria’s music scene, thanks to an introduction to Sound Sultan and Cecil Hammond. She joined Flytime Music and launched her solo career. Her versatile talent allowed her to work with artists like Justin Timberlake, Darey, and Michelle Williams.
Seyi Shay’s debut studio album, “Seyi or Shay,” released in November 2015, was a milestone. She collaborated with prominent Nigerian producers, and her singles “Loving Your Way” and “No Le Le” marked the beginning of her singing career in Nigeria. The album also featured tracks like “Irawo which she wrote to inspire her peers.
With a net worth of $2.1 million, she’s secured her financial standing through music, endorsements, and acting.
7. Simi
With an impressive net worth of $2 million, Simi is also one of Nigeria’s richest female musicians.
Unlike Chidinma, Simi’s musical journey began as a gospel singer before transitioning into circular music. Her debut studio album was a gospel song released in 2008 titled ‘Ogaju’.
Her path to fame accelerated in 2014 with the release of “Tiff,” a song that earned her a nomination for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. This propelled her into the public eye and led to a record deal with X3M Music.
Simi’s career continued to ascend with subsequent hits like “Love Don’t Care” and collaborations with artists like Falz. Her second studio album, “Simisola,” released in 2017, made a significant mark, even debuting at number 5 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
Notably, in 2019, Simi took a significant step in her career by establishing her own record label, Studio Brat, after parting ways with X3M Music. This move reflected her entrepreneurial spirit and independence in the music industry.
8. Waje
Waje is a Nigerian singer renowned for her powerful vocals, with a vocal range spanning three octaves. She is also famous for being one of the judges at The Voice Nigeria talent show.
Waje’s journey to success was marked by resilience and determination. Growing up as the firstborn and first daughter in her family, she faced the challenge of her parents’ separation at a young age. Despite this, her talent shone through, and she captured the attention of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa with her soulful gospel renditions.
Although she officially launched her music career in 2007, her breakout moment arrived in 2008 when she featured on P-Square’s hit track “Do Me,” a song that resonated across Africa and parts of Europe.
This marked the start of a series of collaborations and projects that would solidify her presence in the music scene. From working with M.I. on “One Naira” to releasing her debut studio album, “Words Aren’t Just Enough,” in 2013, Waje’s star continued to rise.
Beyond music, Waje ventured into acting, making her debut in the 2014 film “Tunnel.” Her multifaceted talent and entrepreneurial spirit also led her to co-launch Hermanes Media, a media company specializing in film and TV production, advertising, and digital marketing.
As of the latest available information, Waje’s net worth stands at $1.7 million. This wealth has been accrued through her music career, lucrative endorsements, and ventures in acting.
9. Tems
Tems is a shining example of the immense talent emerging from Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.
Her family moved from Lagos to the UK when Tems was an infant but returned to Nigeria when she was five following her parents’ separation. Much like every other artist on this list, Tems’ musical journey started early.
As she grew, her passion for music also grew so much that she quit her job and dive headfirst into the world of music. She honed her skills by learning self-production through online platforms like YouTube and successfully produced her first song, “Mr. Rebel”.
Tems’ breakout moment came with the release of “Try Me” in 2019, which propelled her to the spotlight. Following this, she collaborated with notable names in the music industry, including Khalid, Disclosure, and Davido.
However, it was her collaboration with Wizkid on the track “Essence” that truly propelled her to international stardom. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination and marked a historic achievement by reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Tems’ groundbreaking moment arrived in 2022 when her vocals from the song “Higher” were featured on Future’s single, “Wait for U.” The track debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to achieve this feat. This achievement was followed by a Grammy win for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Beyond her musical prowess, Tems’ achievements extend to co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” which received nominations at prestigious award ceremonies like the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
With an estimated net worth of $1 million, Tems’ wealth primarily stems from her music career and lucrative endorsements. She commands an appearance fee of $50,000 per show, a testament to her immense popularity.
10. Ayra Starr
Ayra is an Arabic name for someone who is highly respected, woke, and open-minded. Undoubtedly, Ayra Starr, or ‘Celestial Being’ as she’s fondly called, exemplifies these qualities in her artistry.
At just 17 years old, the Beninese-born Nigerian singer, model, and fashion entrepreneur gained prominence when her first original song ‘Damage’ went viral on Instagram. This led to her signing with Mavin Records in 2019.
Ayra wasted no time in showcasing her talent. On January 22, 2021, she dropped her debut hit ‘Away’, which quickly garnered millions of streams.
In that same remarkable year, she released ‘Bloody Samaritan’, a track that saw her become the first solo female artist to claim the number-one spot on the Top 50 chart.
But it didn’t end there. In 2022, she released another single, ‘Rush’ which propelled her to the international stage and saw her become the youngest African Female Artist to amass over 100 million views on a single YouTube video in just 5 months. She also made history as the first Nigerian female artist to chart a solo song on the UK Singles Chart.
Expectedly, these accomplishments have significantly enriched her bank balance. Ayra Starr has an impressive net worth of $1 million, making her the youngest artist on this list of richest female musicians in Nigeria. Her revenue streams flow from her music, lucrative endorsements, and her modeling ventures.
In conclusion, it is abundantly clear that Nigeria’s female musicians are not just creating beautiful music, but they are also building substantial empires. The likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Tems, Ayra Starr, and others are not merely voices; they are beacons of inspiration for budding artists and entrepreneurs alike. Their journeys are marked by talent, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing the immense potential that lies within Nigeria’s music industry.
