The TurnTable 2025 Power List shines a light on the people shaping one of the most important cultural movements of this era — from boardrooms and recording studios to stages, strategy meetings, and the wider ecosystem where influence is built. These are the executives, managers, creatives, tastemakers, and industry players translating ideas into outcomes: breaking artists, closing landmark deals, building careers, and creating pathways for Nigerian music to reach even greater heights.

As Afrobeats and Nigerian music continue to expand their footprint across global markets, the conversations have grown bigger and the stakes have grown higher. Behind every chart run, sold-out venue, viral moment, and career-defining release is a network of people making critical decisions and laying the groundwork for long-term success. The names on this list represent that engine room — the individuals whose work often happens behind the scenes, but whose impact is felt across the industry and beyond.

Now in its fifth edition, the TurnTable Power List returns in its most expansive form yet. The list is determined entirely by the TurnTable editorial team through a framework that considers both measurable success and broader cultural impact, recognising influence not just through numbers, but through the ability to shape conversations, create opportunities, and shift the direction of the industry.

This year’s edition also introduces refined award criteria across the different sectors of the Nigerian music business, alongside sub-category recognitions designed to spotlight specific areas of excellence and contribution within the ecosystem. As the industry continues to evolve, so too does the way impact is identified and celebrated.

For the first time, the TurnTable Power List also extends recognition beyond Nigeria’s borders to include non-Nigerian music executives whose work intersects significantly with African music. Eligible individuals include executives and managers working with African acts, industry leaders based across the continent, and global figures whose repertoire or contributions recorded substantial success during the year under review. This expansion reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of today’s music business and acknowledges the wider network of people helping Nigerian and African music continue its rise on the global stage.

The TurnTable Power List is not ranked beyond the recipient of the Executive of the Year award. Except for the individual named Executive of the Year, all honorees are presented in a purely editorial manner. In instances where more than one individual appears under the same position on the TurnTable Power List, it reflects the shared nature of their contribution. These individuals are closely associated with the same artist, company, or institution whose impact during the period under review played a significant role in their inclusion on the list.