Nigeria’s music industry has become a global phenomenon, with Afrobeats taking center stage in the global music conversation.
Valued at $1.8 billion and projected to generate $14.82 billion by 2025, the industry owes much of its success to the collaborative efforts of both artists and visual storytellers/directors.
While Nigerian artists are celebrated for their talent and creativity, the role of videographers in amplifying their success is undeniable.
These directors have played a key role in refining the look and feel of Nigerian music, creating visually compelling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. By crafting music videos that spin millions of views on platforms like YouTube, they have elevated the profiles of artists and extended the reach of their music far beyond Africa.
Videos like Davido’s Fall, Rema’s Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez, Wizkid’s Essence, and Burna Boy’s Last Last are not just popular tracks but cultural exports with high production value. These works have set new benchmarks for visual storytelling in Nigerian music, helping artists achieve viral success and attract significant international attention. For example, Calm Down boasts over a billion views on YouTube, a milestone made possible by the seamless blend of its audio and visual elements.
Beyond generating millions of views, these music videos have helped Nigerian artists secure brand deals, international collaborations, and global awards. The high production quality of these visuals has reshaped perceptions of Nigerian music, presenting it as polished, innovative, and ready for the global stage.
In this article, we spotlight 15 videographers who have been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of Nigeria’s music industry. These professionals are not only enhancing the storytelling potential of music videos but are also positioning Nigerian music as a global leader in creativity and quality.
Clarence Abiodun Peters is a renowned Nigerian music video director, filmmaker, and cinematographer, known for his exceptional work in the Nigerian music and film industry. Over the years, he has directed and created some of the most iconic music videos in the country, shaping the visual aesthetics of contemporary Nigerian music.
Videos directed by Clarence Peters:
Peters has received numerous accolades for his work, including the prestigious Best Music Video Director award at The Headies and Nigeria Music Video Awards. He has been recognized for his cinematography and editing skills, which have set new standards for the industry.
He is also the founder and CEO of Capital Hill Records, a prominent Nigerian record label that has worked with artists such as Chidinma, Tha Suspect, and Illbliss. Through his label, he has helped shape the careers of several Nigerian artists, contributing to the dynamic growth of the music industry.
Clarence Peters continues to be a major force in Nigerian cinema and music video production, shaping the visual direction of music in the country and influencing the larger African music scene.
ThankGod Omori Henry, popularly known as TG Omori, is a highly acclaimed Nigerian music video director and filmmaker who hails from Cross-River State in Nigeria. At age 16, he started making videos, and by 20, after graduating from the PEFTI Film Institute, he became the youngest professional filmmaker in Nigeria at the time.
Omori’s career in the music industry took off in 2018 when he started directing music videos for a range of Nigerian artists across various genres. His early work includes collaborations with top musicians like Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tekno, Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML, Falz, Timaya, Naira Marley, Asake, and many others.
Omori’s career in the music industry took off in 2018 when he started directing music videos for a range of Nigerian artists across various genres. His early work includes collaborations with top musicians like Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tekno, Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML, Falz, Timaya, Naira Marley, Asake, and many others.
He quickly became one of the most sought-after directors in the Nigerian music scene. In 2019, Omori’s work dominated the music video charts, with several of his videos appearing on MTV, Soundcity, and Trace.
Omori’s videography spans numerous successful projects, including major hits like “My Side” by Ycee (2018), “Billionaire” by Teni (2019), “Odogwu” by Burna Boy (2020), and “Champion” by Fireboy DML (2022). He has consistently directed videos that resonate with both Nigerian and international audiences, contributing to the global recognition of Afrobeat music.
Throughout his career, TG Omori has been recognized with numerous awards. He also received a nomination for Best Music Video at the 2021 Headies for his work on Teni’s “Billionaire.” In 2022, he took home the Best Music Video Director of the Year award at the Headies for his direction of Fireboy DML’s “Champion.”
Sesan Ogunro, born on January 11, 1983, is a renowned Nigerian music video director based in the UK. Known for his work with top Afrobeats artists like D’Banj, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Davido, he is the CEO of Film Factory Nigeria and Film Factory South Africa.
Sesan was raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and later moved to the UK, where he studied 3D Animation and Visual Effects at the University of West London. Inspired by his late father, a prominent Nigerian advertising mogul, Sesan began his career in the UK’s urban underground scene before transitioning to mainstream music video direction. His breakthrough came in 2007 when he directed D’Banj’s “Suddenly,” leading to a long collaboration, including the award-winning “Oliver Twist.”
Sesan’s portfolio includes hits like “The Sound” (Davido), “Soweto Baby” (Wizkid), and “Gringo” (Shatta Wale). He has won several prestigious awards, including Channel O’s Most Gifted Male Video for “Oliver Twist” and MTV Africa’s Best Collaboration Video for “Soweto Baby.”
Sesan runs Film Factory with his sister, Fade Ogunro, and remains a key figure in the global Afrobeats music scene. His work continues to shape the visual identity of the genre.
Buari Olalekan Oluwasegun, born on April 2, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria, is a renowned music video director, often known as Unlimited L.A. He is a cousin to prominent music video director DJ Tee and has been active in the industry since 2011, working with artists like Olamide, Timaya, and Reekado Banks.
In 2015, he won Best Director at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Music Video at The Headies, also receiving a nomination at the All Africa Music Awards. His work continued to earn recognition, with multiple nominations at The Headies and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2016. He won Best Director of the Year at the 2017 City People Entertainment Awards.
Unlimited L.A.’s videography includes popular hits such as Olamide’s “Story for the Gods,” “Wo!!,” and “Science Student,” as well as Timaya’s “Bam Bam” and “Sanko.” His work extends to commercials for brands like Glo, Gala, and Essenza Beauty.
Over the years, Unlimited L.A. has won several accolades, including the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Music Video of the Year for Di’ja’s “Awww” and the 2017 City People Entertainment Award for Best Music Video Director.
Moe Musa, born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in the UK, is a renowned music video director and filmmaker. He attended Carshalton Boys High School, Carshalton College, and the University of West London, where he earned a BSc in Media Technology in 2009.
Musa began his career as a freelance filmmaker and made his directorial debut in 2009. In 2012, he founded Mr Moe Musa Productions and gained international recognition with his music video for Fuse ODG’s “Antenna” featuring Wyclef Jean.
Some notable projects in his videography include Wizkid’s “On Top of Your Matter,” Davido’s “Holiday,” and Olamide’s “Turn Up.” He also directed several hit songs like “Bobo” by Diamond Platnumz and “Waka” by Diamond Platnumz featuring Rick Ross.
Aremu Olaiwola Qudus, also known as Director K, began his career in 2015 when he shot his first music video using an iPhone, driven by curiosity. He gained recognition in 2018 when he directed the music video for Teni’s “Case” and followed it up with Skiibii’s “Sensima.” In 2019, he co-founded PriorGold Pictures, a media and production services company focused on music videos, creative visuals, and television.
Director K has also worked on commercials, including DStv’s “Football Is Back” (2020), Kellogg’s “World’s Number One” (2021), and Havana Club’s Skepta X Havana Club 2.0 (2021).
Director K has been nominated and awarded for his work. In 2020, he won The Headies Best Music Video award for “1 Milli” by Davido. In 2021, he won the African Entertainment Awards USA Best Music Video award for “Essence” by Wizkid feat. Tems. In 2023, he was nominated for the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival’s Video of the Year for “Calm Down” by Rema.
Meji Alabi, born on December 13, 1988, in London, is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, photographer, and producer. He has worked with prominent artists including Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, and others. Meji’s early life was marked by frequent moves due to his parents’ separation. He lived in London, the Bahamas, and Texas, USA. He attended Spring Forest Middle School and Stratford High School in Texas, later graduating with a first-class summa cum laude distinction in Accounting and Finance from the University of West London, and a Licensed Vocational Nursing degree from St. Phillips College in San Antonio, Texas.
In 2014, Meji co-founded JM Films, a media and production company based in Lagos, Nigeria, and also co-founded Priorgold Pictures. He gained early recognition in 2014 with his direction of Seyi Shay’s “Murda” music video, which earned nominations at the MTV Africa Music Awards. He also directed “Crazy” by Seyi Shay featuring Wizkid, which garnered multiple nominations in 2015.