Nigeria Not Among World's Top 20 Music Markets; D'banj Disagrees

According to the latest ranking by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, IFPI, Nigeria has failed to make it into the world's top 20 biggest music markets for 2012, despite the musical triumphs of her several top artistes.

The federation placed the United State of America number one, with $4.17 billion (N661 billion) trade value – 49% each for physical and digital market and a $13.4 (N2,100) per person consumption.

Japan was ranked 2nd, with $3.96 billion (N630 billion) market value with 73% for physical market, and 25% for digital market while Germany was 3rd, with $1.41 billion (N224 billion) market value, and a physical and digital market value of 81% and 13% respectively.

Fourth was the United Kingdom, with a market value of $1.38 billion (N219 billion); physical market, 67%; and digital market, 25%.

South Africa, at 18, was the only African country on the list, with a trade value of $125.6 million (N20 billion) and a physical and digital market of 93% and 5% respectively.

With the international success of many Nigeria music stars this year - Iyanya, Wizkid, Ice Prince, P-Square, D'banj - some industry insiders disagreed with the ranking.

D'banj, a major player in the music industry, was one of the major skeptics.

"Must you believe everything they (IFPI) say about us? Were they in Nigeria to check how much each artiste or label grosses every year?" D'banj asked.

"In an unstructured structure where there is no light, where 1+1 does not mean 2, where there is piracy, Nigerian artistes are grossing millions yearly, and you tell me we are not the biggest music market in Africa. Even the South Africans who you say are on the list wish they were Nigerian artistes now."

"Why won't US be number 1? When they (US) have a solid distribution network, when there is revenue from adverts and endorsements."