From being judged by their bodies instead of their music, to watching their own collaborations go unpromoted, Nigerian female artistes are increasingly speaking out about the invisible hurdles that come with being a woman in the industry.

Here's what three of the biggest female names in Afrobeats have said about the double standards they've had to navigate.


1. Fave

Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, hit musician Fave lamented how female creatives are constantly judged on appearance over talent.

"It's harder for female artists to blow. Female artists aren't measured by talent but by what they wear. If your tummy isn't flat…

"It’s never really about the music; it's more about people's sexual desires or their fantasies about you," she said.


2. Tiwa Savage

In a 2025 interview, Tiwa Savage questioned why songs involving female artistes often receive less attention and promotion, arguing that the lack of support can make it difficult to encourage more collaborations between women.

"When I feature female artists, they don't promote the songs. So when I feature Odumodublvck, knowing it'll give me millions of streams, they start complaining," she said.


3. Ayra Starr

The award-winning singer, in a 2023 interview, questioned why female artistes are not held to the same standards as their male colleagues.

"I am grateful to the women who came before me, who paved the way. Because of them, I am not dealing with so much.

"However, there is still that issue of female artistes being scrutinised more than their male colleagues. Female artistes are not held to the same standards as the males," she said.

ID