Behind the glitz, Nigerian entertainers struggle to cash

Entertainment Live: Fake eyelashes fluttered, bespoke suits were on display and slick music videos played at the inaugural edition of The Entertainment Fair and Festival in Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos in late November.

But behind the glitter, the reality of the film and music sectors in Africa’s most populous nation can often be far less glamorous: wages are low, there are no social protections and copyright law is rarely enforced. That comes despite the country boasting the second most productive film industry in the world and some of Africa’s biggest pop stars.

That difference is not down to output or d

emand as Nigeria produces more, exports more and has a domestic market of some 200 million people, four times bigger than South Africa. Instead industry insiders insist it is a problem of organisation.

PwC estimates that 80 percent of the pirate CDs globally can be found in Nigeria and singer Brymo says that in almost 20 years performing he has never received any money from his songs playing on local radio stations. “Internationally, we make money through digital distribution platforms that have taken over rapidly, but locally it’s mostly with gigs or endorsement deals,” he said.

Dhaka 15 December (campuslive24.com)//az

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