EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDER AND LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE NIGERIA MUSIC INDUSTRY

Abstract

For better decision-making, innovation, and creativity to thrive in the Nigerian music industry, gender diversity is important. The music industry in Nigeria has diverse talents. This study investigates the relationship between gender diversity and leadership roles in the Nigerian music industry. Specifically, it investigated the current level of gender diversity in key leadership positions within the music industry and identified the barriers affecting women in pursuing leadership roles in this industry. It adopted a mixed method approach, thereby employing both the quantitative and qualitative methods. While qualitative data extracted from the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) official websites, peer-reviewed journal articles, and publications by Musical Associations in Nigeria were used for the purpose of this study, quantitative data from a questionnaire survey was obtained from a total of 47 respondents. From both methods, the data analysis revealed a gender imbalance at the key level of leadership positions within PMAN, with only the male gender occupying the key positions. Quantitatively, the majority of the respondents associated failure to advance in leadership pursuits with a lack of gender diversity, societal expectations, and several other gender stereotypes in the music industry. Two major factors were found to constitute barriers to women in leadership positions: cultural norms and social expectations. In essence, it is therefore, recommended that gender diversity and equality be prioritised for the growth and success of the Nigerian music industry.