Entertainment
Impact Of Covid-19 Lockdown On Nigerian Entertainment Industry
The Nigerian entertainment industry in general has experienced substantial negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic since President Muhammadu Buhari first announced a 14-day national lockdown on March 31, 2020, which abruptly halted the activities of the industry across the country.
Those immediately impacted by the lockdown directive include the Nigerian film industry and it’s workforce as movie theatres have been shutdown, art exhibitions, musical concerts and comedy shows either cancelled or postponed, while tourism, arts and culture were equally hit badly by the lockdown.
Other entertainment outlets like amusement centres, parks, nightclubs that largely survive on daily basis were also affected.
In the movie industry, many Nigerian film makers including Omoni Oboli who was shooting a new TV series “Last Year Single’’ had to halt the production abruptly. The Covid-19 pandemic has no doubt sparked a dramatic first for movie industries across the world. As the lockdown persists, film makers are screening their movies for free on online platforms like You Tube.
As cinemas and movie theatres remain closed across the world, the global box office revenues have dropped significantly, while movie streaming site owners rake in huge cash flow, film exhibitors are counting their loses
Cinemas Exhibitors Association Of Nigeria (CEAN) in a recent report online stated that they had lost as much as 30 per cent of the weekend revenues since January 2020. According to the report, between January 17 and 19, Nigerian cinemas grossed N 75.9 million, the figure dropped by 20.8 per cent to N60.1 million by the first weekend of February
At the beginning of March, the figure dwindled further to N 54.9 million and two weeks after, the figure stood at N 45,283.647.The Nigerian Cinema Exhibitors and Operators (NCEO) noted that the industry’s revenue dropped by as much as 30.65 per cent between January and March 2020 and there is no respite for now as the Corona virus has already taken toll in the industry.
The music clan is not left out of the dwindling revenue saga in the industry as numerous music events, including music festivals, concert tours and award shows have been cancelled or postponed, while some musicians and composers were able to use the time to create works, they were flow on effects on many supporting people who relied on performers for their income. Several album releases have been delayed as well.
There is no aspect of the Nigerian music industry that was not affected by the Coronavirus outbreak and lockdown. According to a recent report on line, the most obvious though are the big names, Davido,Asa and Sinach, who had to postpone their tours and of course the cancellation of big shows like Gidifest. Many music video shoots and recording sessions have also been put on hold.
If anything, this season is challenging Nigerian musicians to think out of the box to remain relevant and make some income for as long as the lockdown persists. Many Nigerian musicians especially the A-listers have lost a lot of money already.
Recently, music executive, Jude Okoye of the defunct P Square advised his colleagues to brace up for a long holiday and a year without live shows, it might however be longer, that is if a new study published in the journal science by epidemiologists from Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health is any thing to go by.
According to the study, in the absence of a vaccine or any effective treatment for corona virus, social distancing measures affecting gatherings like concerts may need to be delayed into 2022. This means that many musicians might be unable to hold shows and concerts until 2022,that is almost two years from now.
As Nigerian entertainment continues to be affected by restrictions in response to the outbreak of Covid-19,the practitioners are moving to stream performances instead of physical shows. Take Nigerian comedian, Ay Makun for instance, who decided to host his annual comedy show, ‘Ay Live’, from the confines of his sprawling Lekki mansion on Instagram live with one guest, fellow comedian, Funny Bone.
The concert received a lot of positive reactions on social media and has been uploaded on Ay’s You Tube channel for fans to enjoy on demand. Ace Nigerian musician ,2 Baba, also held an e-concert on Instagram on April 12, just as several Nigerian DJs have also jumped on the trend.
Some popular night clubs in Port Harcourt and Lagos are also starting to stream live shows in their entire club session on You Tube, Facebook and Instagram on Friday and Saturday nights. Now more than ever, music streaming services like Spotify, Amazon music, You Tube, Band camp, sound cloud and Tidal are experiencing huge numbers of subscription and down loads across the world.
Tourism and Aviation are among the hardest hit by the lockdown and travel restrictions have caused huge slump in demand among travellers, mostly the local and foreign airlines suspended operations with all the airports under lockdown by the federal government. As of March 2020,the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had reported an estimated revenue loss of N252 billion in the sector globally under Covid-19.
In the hospitality sector, it is no secret that the sector has been equally hit by the pandemic with many of the employees either out of work or losing hours due to travel restrictions as a result of the shut down of businesses and social distancing. The hotels have been experiencing very low patronage, in fact multi- billion naira worth of deals have been lost in the sector according to online reports.
Jacob Obinna
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”