Nigerian lawyer and creative industry expert, Audu Maikori, has raised concerns over the challenges surrounding the distribution of music, products, and services in Nigeria.
The co-founder and former CEO of Chocolate City Group highlighted the difficulty Nigerians face in accessing goods and creative content, especially when compared to more developed markets where e-commerce and distribution systems operate seamlessly.
Speaking during an interview on the The Afropolitan Podcast, Maikori illustrated the problem with a personal experience involving a local hat vendor. According to him, the vendor’s lack of business structure and customer service ultimately led to a lost sale.
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Drawing a comparison with cities like Los Angeles, he said consumers in more advanced markets can easily order products online and receive them almost immediately through platforms like Amazon.
“We can’t get products to people. We can’t get music to people. The platforms we’re talking about is distribution. We don’t own it. We don’t have it,” he said.
Maikori further questioned the systems in place to connect creators and businesses with consumers, particularly in the events space.
“Who’s fixing getting the product to the people? How do I sell tickets for a concert without you coming there and know that when you get there, there’s a scanner that will allow you to walk into the space seamlessly?” he asked.
His comments was a pointer to wider concerns about Nigeria’s distribution ecosystem, which faces structural challenges despite rapid digital growth.
While Nigerian artistes such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Davido, and Asake continue to achieve global success, the local market still grapples with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, piracy, limited access to digital services, and inefficient royalty collection systems.
Meanwhile, Maikori, who appeared on Channels Televison’s LunchTime Politics ealier in March outlined his vision for the “creative economy”.
Despite the global explosion of Afrobeats, he noted that the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP remains significantly low, at approximately 0.33%.
The lawyer believes the solution lies in a rigorous overhaul of the Intellectual Property (IP) regime.
“Intellectual property is closely linked to GDP growth, but in Nigeria, we have not been able to harness the IP regime. If I am blessed to be in the House, I will push for clearer policies.
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