How to release music on Spotify from Nigeria

You can't upload to Spotify directly — Spotify only accepts music from approved distributors. To release a song on Spotify from Nigeria, you upload your master and artwork to a music distributor, add your credits, pick a release date, and the distributor delivers it to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay and other stores for you.

The step-by-step

1. 1Have your final mastered track as a WAV file and square cover art (3000×3000px, no logos or URLs on it).
2. 2Create an artist account on Preem and set up a drop with your track, artwork and credits — spell every name correctly, because fixing metadata after release is slow.
3. 3Pick a street date at least 1–2 weeks away. That lead time lets every store ingest on the same day and gives you room to pitch playlists.
4. 4Submit to streaming from your drop page. Preem pushes the release to the DSPs and tracks the review status back on the same panel.
5. 5Once it's live, share your Spotify and Apple Music links — fans who bought early access on Preem already have the track, but they'll save it on their usual platform too.

Questions artists ask

Can I upload my music to Spotify directly from Nigeria?

No. Spotify only accepts music through approved distributors — you upload to a distributor, and it delivers your song to Spotify and other stores.

How much does it cost to release a song on Spotify from Nigeria?

Spotify doesn't charge artists. You pay your distributor — on Preem, uploading is free and DSP delivery is covered by your drop's sales, or unlocked with a one-time fee. There's no monthly or yearly subscription.

How long does it take for a song to go live on Spotify?

Submit at least 1–2 weeks before your release date. Stores usually ingest within a few days; Boomplay can take up to two weeks. The hands-on work takes minutes — the wait is the delivery window.

Do I lose ownership of my music when I distribute it?

No. You keep 100% of your masters and publishing. The distributor delivers under their account with your permission — they never own your catalogue.

When do I get paid my Spotify royalties in Nigeria?

Streaming royalties reach you 1–3 months after the streams happen, paid through your distributor. On Preem they flow back alongside your drop sales and pay out to your Nigerian bank account in naira.

On Preem, fans pay you in naira for early access before the streaming release — so the song earns before it ever hits Spotify. Start with a free artist account, or read how distribution works on Preem.