More than a day has passed since Spotify released its Wrapped 2025 data for Nigeria, and people are talking about it everywhere. The figures are huge, but what do they really tell us? Let’s break them down in clear terms.
The Standout Number: 1.3 Billion Hours
The report shared by Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub Saharan Africa, shows that Nigerians streamed over 1.3 billion hours of music and podcasts this year. That equals about 54 million days. In years, that’s roughly 148 thousand. It’s a massive jump from 2024 and a clear sign that more Nigerians are using audio streaming than ever before.
This shows that the digital audio space in the country is not only expanding but growing strongly. Strong growth means more money moves through the system. Spotify earns more from subscriptions and ads. Telecom companies benefit from increased data use. Most importantly, artists take home more royalties because every stream counts toward their earnings. More streams literally mean more money for Nigerian creators.
Homegrown Music is Taking Over
One of the most exciting parts of the report is the rise in local music. Nigerian music streams increased by 82 percent this year. That is a major leap. It simply means Nigerians chose local artists far more often than they chose foreign ones.
The charts reflected this shift clearly. Wizkid led with his album “Morayo” at number one. Davido’s “With You” featuring Omah Lay was the most streamed song in the country.
Even more interesting is the success of upcoming artists. Fido, Kunmie, Faceless, and FOLA all made it into the Top 10 most streamed songs, standing beside major stars.
This shows that listeners want new voices and are ready to support emerging talent just as strongly as established names.
Afrobeats Beyond Our Borders
Global streams of Afrobeats went up by 22 percent in 2025. This means more international listeners enjoyed Nigerian music compared to previous years. Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema continued to attract large global audiences. Rema’s “Calm Down” featuring Selena Gomez held on to its position as the most streamed Nigerian track in the world for the third year in a row.
Daily Listening Grew by 23 Percent
Daily engagement also increased. People are not only listening more in total, but they are streaming music more regularly every day. Music has become a steady part of life for millions of Nigerians.
Podcasts Are Rising Fast
Podcast streaming saw a huge increase of 97 percent in listening hours. Faith and spiritual themed shows were the top performers, showing that people are using audio platforms for motivation and reflection as well as entertainment.
The 1.3 billion hours that Nigerians spent on Spotify in 2025 reflect more than heavy streaming. They show a major cultural shift. Local music is stronger than ever. New acts are becoming popular faster. And Nigerians are making audio content a daily habit.
