The session, titled “Business Models Every Student Musician Should Know,” targeted first- and second-year students and focused on the commercial aspects of music as a profession—equipping them with practical knowledge essential for building successful careers in a rapidly evolving industry.
Nurturing Musicians for a Digital Economy
Held at the MUSON Centre, the masterclass was facilitated by Mdundo’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sowari Akosionu, who guided students through various revenue opportunities available to contemporary musicians. These included live performance gigs, private tutoring, studio session work, and monetisation through digital streaming platforms—especially ones like Mdundo that are designed with the African market in mind.
Akosionu underscored the need for emerging musicians to shift from purely artistic pursuits to strategic thinking. “Talent alone isn’t enough,” he noted. “In today’s music industry, sustainability comes from strategy, digital access, and cultural authenticity.”
He stressed the importance of musicians understanding their rights, leveraging technology, and tailoring their work for both local and international audiences.
Afroclassical: A Genre of the Future
One of the more innovative concepts introduced during the session was Afroclassical—a budding genre that fuses classical music’s structured elegance with African rhythms, languages, and indigenous instruments. Akosionu described this blend as a “culturally rich and commercially viable” space that offers young artists an avenue for authentic expression while remaining relevant in global music circles.
By embracing such fusions, students were encouraged to challenge conventions and find their unique artistic voices in ways that honour tradition while embracing modernity.
Building an Ecosystem of Monetisation and Support
The masterclass also highlighted Mdundo’s evolving role in reshaping the African music monetisation landscape through collaborations with major telecoms across the continent. Through partnerships with MTN, Airtel, Glo, Vodacom, and Safaricom, the platform allows users to subscribe to music bundles—enabling artists to earn revenue directly from streamed content powered by data access.
In addition to platform-based income, students were introduced to a variety of funding channels, including scholarships, creative grants, and international development programmes. The session emphasised that professionalism, proper documentation, and active participation in artistic communities are key to attracting sustained support and career growth.
Backing from the MTN Foundation
The event was made possible by the MTN Foundation, which continues to play a pivotal role in empowering young Nigerian creatives. Through its scholarship programme, the Foundation supports the education of MUSON students, helping them not just refine their craft but also gain industry insight.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to nurture Nigeria’s vibrant music talent by ensuring they are not only skilled performers but also informed entrepreneurs.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Creative Empowerment
As the African music industry becomes more digitally driven and globally competitive, platforms like Mdundo are positioning themselves as catalysts for change. By combining education, technology, and market access, the company reaffirms its commitment to transforming how music is created, distributed, and monetised across the continent.
“Our goal,” said Akosionu, “is to empower musicians from the ground up—starting while they’re still students—so they can build careers that are not only passionate but profitable.”
This masterclass marks another step forward in the mission to make Africa’s creative industries both artistically rich and economically sustainable.