Meet the Artist Managers Behind Nigeria’s $2 Billion Afrobeat Industry

Nigeria’s music industry has grown into a $2 billion giant, with Afrobeats sitting at the center of its global appeal. From Lagos to London, Nigerian artists are filling arenas, topping international charts, and dominating streaming platforms. 

But behind every superstar is a manager whose strategy, vision, and resilience help turn raw talent into global success. Here are some of the most influential artist managers shaping Afrobeats today.

Bose Ogulu – Burnaboy’s Manager

Bose Ogulu, affectionately known as Mama Burna, has redefined what it means to be an artist manager in Africa. As Burna Boy’s mother and long-time manager, she has been instrumental in guiding him from local recognition to global superstardom.

Under her watch, Burna Boy’s Love, Damini album became the highest-charting Nigerian album ever on the Billboard 200. His smash hit Last Last swept awards at The Headies, while his concerts continue to sell out stadiums worldwide. 

Beyond management, Ogulu is the force behind Spaceship Collective, her label and publishing company, which serves as both a creative hub and business empire.

Her boldness from accepting awards on his behalf to delivering unapologetic speeches, has made her one of the most respected and admired figures in the industry. In many ways, she embodies the spirit of Afrobeats itself: fearless, uncompromising, and global.

Asa Asika – Davido Manager

Asa Asika’s career in music management is tied closely to Davido’s journey. He first managed the superstar in the early 2010s, helping him break out with hits like Back When and Dami Duro. 

After a brief split, Asa returned in 2017 and has since overseen Davido’s most successful era. Through his company The Plug, Asa has built a broad entertainment network that handles everything from sports to film. 

But it’s with Davido that his impact has been most visible: Grammy nominations for Timeless in 2023, sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena, and a Billboard Hot 100 debut through Chris Brown’s Sensational.

Asa’s management style is rooted in vision and persistence, ensuring that Davido remains one of Afrobeats’ most consistent global exports. 

Alexa Rae Perkins – Asake Manager

Alexa Rae Perkins is no stranger to the business of music. With over ten years of experience working with industry heavyweights such as Def Jam Recordings, EMPIRE, and TuneCore, she has mastered the art of building artists into brands. Today, she stands at the helm of Asake’s career.

Asake, once managed under Olamide’s YBNL Nation, transitioned to Alexa’s care after his meteoric rise. Since then, she has overseen his transformation into one of Afrobeats’ most bankable stars. 

Hits like Amapiano, Lonely at the Top (Remix), and Badman Gangsta have not only dominated Nigerian charts but also gained international traction, racking up millions of streams. With Alexa’s global marketing know-how, Asake’s music has reached audiences far beyond Africa, positioning him as one of the genre’s leading exports.

Taiye Aliyu –  Yemi Alade Manager

For over a decade, Taiye Aliyu has been the quiet force behind Yemi Alade’s career. As the founder and CEO of Effyzzie Music Group, he built the label from scratch into a global powerhouse. 

His vision secured licensing deals with Universal Music Africa and Universal Music France, giving Yemi access to audiences worldwide.

Under his watch, Yemi Alade has grown into one of the most recognizable female voices in Afrobeats. From Grammy nominations for her collaborations with Angélique Kidjo to recording the AFCON 2023 theme song Akwaba, Yemi’s career continues to expand. Most recently, she earned another Grammy nod for Tomorrow off her Rebel Queen album, further proof of Taiye’s ability to keep his artist relevant in an industry that changes rapidly.

Vanessa Amadi –  Tiwa Savage’s Manager

Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna brings more than two decades of experience to the table, and her expertise has been pivotal in cementing Tiwa Savage’s place as Afrobeats royalty. 

Before Vanessa came on board, Tiwa had already made her mark, but it was Vanessa’s strategy that expanded her influence across continents.

Her achievements range from producing Davido’s sold-out O2 Arena concert to securing Tiwa’s signing with Universal Music Group, which gave the singer exposure in over 60 countries. 

Under her management, Tiwa has taken on global stages, from King Charles III’s Coronation Concert in 2023 to film projects like Water & Garri. In 2025, Tiwa’s collaboration with Craig David, Commitment, broke into UK charts, another example of Vanessa’s ability to keep Tiwa at the forefront of global music.

Elizabeth Sobowale – Adekunle Gold’s Manager

Elizabeth Sobowale has built a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking managers in the African music industry. Currently managing Adekunle Gold, she has guided his career through a phase of bold reinvention. 

Her strategy was key to securing his signing with Def Jam Recordings in 2023, a milestone that aligned AG with one of the world’s most respected labels.

Sobowale’s approach is rooted in aligning with an artist’s vision. With Adekunle Gold, she leaned into his shift toward a more global, experimental sound while preserving the authenticity that first drew fans to him. 

The result was massive hits like Party No Dey Stop, which dominated streaming platforms and topped Nigerian charts. Beyond music, she has helped expand Adekunle’s brand through partnerships and unique marketing campaigns, making him one of Afrobeats’ most versatile stars.

Alexander Okeke – YBNL Nation

Alexander Okeke has been a key figure in YBNL Nation since 2012, working alongside Olamide to build one of Nigeria’s most successful labels. As Head of Talent and Business, he plays a central role in shaping artist strategy, brand positioning, and long-term growth.

His influence has been particularly visible in Fireboy DML’s rise. Through careful planning and collaboration with Fireboy’s day-to-day manager, Seun “Mama Citizens” Fasehun, Okeke helped position the artist for international success. 

From Peru which became a global hit with Ed Sheeran to multiple chart-topping albums, Fireboy’s career reflects Okeke’s ability to combine business foresight with artist development. 

Beyond YBNL, Okeke’s company Red & Axla Logistics has delivered top-tier events and PR campaigns, reinforcing his place as a powerhouse in Nigerian music management.

Wale Davies & Muyiwa Awoniyi – Tems Manager

Tems’ rise from underground star to global sensation didn’t happen overnight, it was built on the steady guidance of two managers: Wale “Tec” Davies and Muyiwa Awoniyi.

Davies, one-half of rap duo Show Dem Camp, wears many hats: rapper, label boss, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur. His sharp eye for talent led him to Tems in 2018, after hearing Mr. Rebel. 

Meanwhile, Awoniyi, who had managed artists like Omah Lay and Nonso Amadi, was introduced to Tems right before the life-changing Essence collaboration with Wizkid.

Together, they’ve positioned Tems as one of the most important voices of her generation. From winning a Grammy and working with Rihanna on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack to dropping her debut album Born in the Wild in 2024 and embarking on a sold-out world tour, Tems’ story is proof of what strong management can achieve.

Sunday Are & Jada Pollock – Wizkid Manager

Few artist managers command as much respect in Nigeria as Sunday Are. With decades in the game, he has worked with legends from King Sunny Ade to 2Baba. 

His relationship with Wizkid started informally, but it eventually grew into a full-fledged partnership that saw him guiding the young star during some of his most formative years.

Today, Wizkid’s management is led by Jada Pollock, a British music executive who cut her teeth managing global acts like Chris Brown. 

With her expertise, Wizkid transitioned from being one of Nigeria’s brightest stars to one of the most recognized African artists on the planet. Together, Are’s foundational mentorship and Pollock’s industry savvy have given Wizkid the balance of local roots and international reach, a formula that continues to keep him at the top.

Sean Okeke – Rema Manager

Sean “Super Sean” Okeke has carved out a reputation as one of Afrobeats’ sharpest strategists. 

As VP and Head of Operations at Jonzing World, he played a central role in signing Rema and aligning him with Mavin Records in 2019. That decision turned out to be game-changing.

Rema’s debut album Rave & Roses (2022) broke barriers, becoming the first African project with ten tracks on the Billboard Afrobeats chart simultaneously. But the real breakthrough was Calm Down and its Selena Gomez remix, which climbed as high as number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, an unprecedented feat for an Afrobeats act. 

With over two billion Spotify streams to date, Rema has become a poster child for the genre’s global expansion, and Okeke’s strategic management is a huge reason why.