Music video directors in Nigeria are now enjoying more recognition and public attention compared to the past when they were relatively unknown behind-the-scenes figures.
The significance of music videos in Nigeria is undeniable. While fans appreciate hit songs and albums, the anticipation for the visual aspect of each song is equally high. This heightened demand for top-notch visuals has turned music video directors into sought-after professionals as artists aim to deliver the best visual experiences to their audiences.
In the past, cinematographers often played the role of music video directors without receiving the credit they deserved. However, the landscape has evolved, and now video directors are rightfully acknowledged for their crucial contributions. Their works have become so distinctive that their style is easily recognizable even without checking the video credits.
Some of the most in-demand music video directors in Nigeria are chosen based on their body of work, fame, and pricing. See them below.
1. Clarence Peters
Clarence Peters stands as a prominent figure in the music video directing industry, often credited with paving the way for the recognition of the true worth of music video directors.
Born to Nigerian Afro-Juju musician, Shina Peters and Nollywood actress, ClarionChukwuka, Clarence pursued cinematography at a film school in Cape Town, South Africa. Returning to Nigeria, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Alliance Film Company, now known as the Allied Film Company, alongside a group of filmmakers.
With over two decades of experience, Clarence Peters boasts a portfolio of directing over 50 high-quality HD music videos. Notably, he commands a significant fee for his services, reportedly charging up to 6 million Naira.
His extensive list of collaborations includes A-list artists in Nigeria such as Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Kizz Daniel, Davido, Wizkid, and many others.
With a consistent track record and widespread acclaim for his work, Clarence Peters remains one of the most sought-after music video directors in Nigeria.
2. TG Omori
TG Omori, also known as Boy Director, emerges as a rising star in the music video directing sector, gaining recognition as one of the top directors in the country. Born ThankGod Omori Jesam, the 28-year-old cinematographer, originally from Cross River State, grew up in Agungi, Lagos State, amidst a middle-class background.
Embarking on his journey as a video director at the young age of 15, TG Omori oversaw stage plays in his school and church. His passion for video production led him to enter the field professionally after graduating from the PEFTI Film Institute at the age of 18, making him one of Nigeria’s youngest professional filmmakers at the time.
Over the years, Omori has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry, directing numerous chart-topping videos for various Nigerian celebrities. Notable among his works are videos for hits like “Soapy” and “Am I A Yahoo Boy” by Naira Marley, “Totori” by Olamide ft Wizkid, and “Billionaire” by Teni.
Other acclaimed music videos under his belt include Asake’s “Peace Be Unto You“, Rema’s “Are You There?“, Ololade Asake’s “Sungba“, Fireboy DML’s “Playboy“, and Kizz Daniel’s “BUGA“.
Having garnered several awards, TG Omori is now one of the most sought-after music video directors in Nigeria, and it comes as no surprise that he plans to charge as much as 1 million dollars per video shoot.
3. Daps
Daps, born Oladapo Fagbenle, secures a spot among the most sought-after music video directors in Nigeria, lauded for his remarkable diversity. The Nigerian-born British director initiated his career as a video producer in New York and London before establishing himself in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Daps is renowned for directing chart-topping music videos both in Nigeria and internationally. His extensive portfolio includes collaborations with global superstars like Migos, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, IggyAzalea, and Afrobeats icons such as Wizkid, Patoranking, and Davido.
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One of his notable achievements is directing the video for Migos’ “Bad and Boujee“, amassing over 67 million views on YouTube and counting. Despite his reputation for being “quite expensive and not for everybody”, Daps’s top projects include music videos for “Fall” by Davido, “Come Closer” by Wizkid featuring Drake, “Close Friends” by Lil Baby, and “Double Tap” by Jordin Sparks featuring 2 Chainz.
4. Dammy Twitch
Dammy Twitch has swiftly ascended to become one of the most sought-after music video directors in recent years. His journey began as a photographer in 2013, and in 2017, he delved into video directing while interning for DirectorQ.
Renowned for his explicit music videos, Dammy Twitch has collaborated with top artists such as Davido, Olamide, Falz, Burna Boy, Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Zlatan Ibile, Dremo, Lil Kesh, Victor AD, and more.
Among his notable projects are Davido’s “FEM“, “Jowo“, and “Stand Strong“, featuring The Samples, along with Naira Marley’s “Montego Bay video“. At the age of 28, Dammy Twitch earned a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2022.
5. Moe Musa
Mohammed Musa, widely recognized as Moe Musa, stands as one of the veteran and renowned figures in Nigeria’s video-directing realm. Holding the distinction of being one of Nigeria’s premier music video directors, Moe Musa has lent his expertise to numerous projects.
A graduate in Media Technology from Thames Valley University, United Kingdom, Moe Musa has collaborated with A-list superstars across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, France, Cyprus, and America. His breakthrough came with the direction of the chart-topping 2009 Fuse O2DG song and music video “Antenna“. Additionally, he owns a production company for movies and videos known as the UK and Afrobeat Music Culture Online Video Broadcaster.
Moe Musa’s portfolio includes iconic projects like “Skelewu” by Davido, “Azonto” by Wizkid, “Wanted” by Tiwa Savage, and “Diaspora” by 2Baba. His stature as one of the most expensive music video directors in Nigeria further solidifies his position in the industry.
6. Meji Alabi
Meji Alabi stands as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s music video directing industry, renowned for his creative prowess. He has left an indelible mark with visually stunning music videos for A-list artists such as Wizkid, MaleekBerry, Tiwa Savage, Runtown, Asa, Mr. Eazi, Seyi Shay, and more.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Alabi’s diverse background includes living in London and Texas. This cultural blend enhances his ability to connect African and Western markets through various visual mediums, encompassing music videos, photography, advertising campaigns, magazine editorials, and artist branding.
Among his recent notable projects are “Monsters We Made” by Burna Boy featuring Chris Martin, “49-99” by Tiwa Savage, and “Smile” by Wizkid featuring H.E.R.
Notably, Meji Alabi contributed to Beyoncé‘s “Black is King” video project, showcasing his global impact in the world of visual storytelling.
Following the release of her debut album, “Born In The Wild,” Tems has embarked on a world tour, where she thrilled audiences with her chart-topping songs; Ayra Starr joined her for a performance of one of the songs.
In the New York leg of her “Born In The Wild” tour, Tems surprised fans by bringing sensational superstar Ayra Starr on stage for a joint performance. The duo, cheered by the enthusiastic crowd, showcased their friendship and support for each other.
American Grammy-winning star John Legend also made a special guest appearance at Tems’ New York concert, delighting the audience with a rendition of his hit single “Ordinary People.”
While Tems and Ayra Starr have yet to collaborate, many fans, including Rihanna, are eagerly anticipating a future song together. Rihanna has even expressed her willingness to join the track with the talented Nigerian stars.
Tems and Ayra Starr are two of Nigeria’s most successful global exports, whose music has garnered millions of fans and prestigious awards. Tems made history as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, receiving an award for her contributions to Future’s “Wait For U,” which won Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 65th Grammys.
Ayra Starr also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to be nominated as a lead act for her hit single “Rush,” which earned a nod for Best African Song Performance at the 66th Grammys.
Both stars have continued their global ascent with the release of new projects in 2024. Tems released her highly anticipated debut album “Born In The Wild.” At the same time, Ayra Starr dropped her acclaimed sophomore album “The Year I Turned 21,” featuring guest appearances from Giveon, Coco Jones, Aniita, Seyi Vibez, and Asake.
Fireboy‘s “Peru,” released in 2021, quickly became a global sensation, securing a diamond certification in France. The song charted in several countries, including the US, UK, and France. The Afrobeats rhythmic song resonated with audiences worldwide, earning it a commercial success across multiple regions.
Significantly, the song secured the highest certification for a song in France. The remix features British superstar Ed Sheeran, who played a crucial role in propelling the track to international stardom. This version of “Peru” not only charted in over 20 countries but also made a showing on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 53. In the UK, it soared to No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart. Again in France, it reached No. 28, solidifying its status as a global hit.
The success of “Peru” extends beyond just chart performance.
Across both the original and remix versions, the track has amassed over 450 million streams on Spotify alone. It has been awarded a gold plaque in Denmark and achieved double platinum status in the UK. Notably, “Peru” is one of the select Afrobeats songs to earn a platinum certification from the RIAA, further cementing its place in the genre’s history.
Fireboy DML’s “Peru” featuring Ed Sheeran is now certified Diamond in France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/o3Wm75zJS6
Featured on Fireboy’s third album, “Playboy”, “Peru” catapulted him to international fame. This success earned him a BET nomination and a coveted performance slot at the 2022 edition of the awards. Fireboy’s ability to fuse Afrobeats with global appeal has established him as one of Nigeria’s leading musical exports.
With its recent diamond certification in France, “Peru” joins the ranks of other Nigerian hits.
This includes Oxlade’s “Kulosa,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” Burna Boy’s “Last Last,” and Rema’s “Calm Down,” all of which have received SNEP diamond certification.
Building on this momentum, Fireboy continues his global ascent with the release of his fourth album, “Adedamola”. The project features collaborations with prominent artists such as Lagbaja, Grammy nominee Seun Kuti, Lojay, and Grammy Album of the Year winner Jon Batiste, showcasing his ever-expanding influence in the music industry.
Grammy-winning artist Ayodeji Balogun, widely known as Wizkid, proudly emphasized his natural ability to create hit songs with minimal effort. In a candid studio interview, Wizkid disclosed that he records all his major tracks while seated.
This underscores the ease with which he produces chart-topping music. He made it clear that the process of making hits is entirely stress-free for him.
Additionally, Wizkid expressed his strong aversion to traditional music promotion and press interviews, noting that he has a deep understanding of his audience’s preferences and is fully prepared to meet their expectations without the need for extensive publicity efforts.
Further, Wizkid elaborated on his approach, stating, “All my biggest songs from ‘Holla At Your Boy’ to ‘Soco’, ‘Joro’, ‘Ojuelegba’, I recorded them sitting down. You [P2J] know how my things be for Lagos. You’ve been in my house. You know what I do. I’m chilling.”
‘‘I hate doing Promo’’
‘‘ I Recorded All my biggest Songs Sitting Down’’
He went on to explain his disdain for promotional activities, adding, “You get me, no stress. You see promo, I hate doing that sh*t. You know press, I hate doing all that sh*t, bro. I know exactly what the people want. [Producer] P2J is the only n*gga that understands me. All we have to do is turn on the mic.”
Wizkid also touched on the impact of globalization on the music industry, noting that artists no longer need to rely on others to create a buzz around their work. The amazing thing is that the world is now globalized, you don’t need anyone to lie to you,” he concluded.
Furthermore, this insight into Wizkid’s creative process and his approach to the music industry sheds light on why he remains one of the most influential and successful artists of his generation.
His confidence in his talent, combined with his understanding of the evolving global music landscape, continues to set him apart in the industry.
