Popular Afrobeat singer, Tiwa Savage has opened up about the constant sexual demands female artistes face in the Nigerian music industry, revealing how some executives try to trade opportunities for sex.

Speaking during a panel session at Entertainment Week Africa, Tiwa said she has been asked several times to “go and see” influential male executives before she could be booked for certain shows.

The superstar also revealed that she once lost a major endorsement deal because she refused to travel to Dubai with the company’s co-owner.

According to her, the man wanted the trip to be “personal,” and when she declined, the deal was cancelled.

Tiwa explained that the incident made her realise that some people in the industry value her body more than her talent, despite the hard work she puts into her craft.

In her words, she said:

“I had been told that if I don’t go and see ‘this chairman’ personally, I would not be put on a show. I lost an endorsement because I refused to go to Dubai with a man who is one of the owners of the company.

That was when I realised they don’t value my talent but my body, which I was only flaunting as part of branding. It ended up hurting me because that was all they were seeing.”

A commentator wrote, “This industry is wicked. Respect to Tiwa for speaking her truth.” Another wrote, “Women go through too much. Tiwa is strong for saying this publicly.”

Tiwa Savage’s revelation has sparked fresh conversations about exploitation in the entertainment industry and the pressure female artistes face behind the scenes.