Top 5 Most Expensive Music Videos in Nigeria

If Afrobeats is a celebration, the music video serves as the centrepiece. It’s sparkling, loud, sometimes wildly over the top, and absolutely central to the vibe. Nigerian artists invest heavily in visuals because great videos give the song a face, they travel faster than audio across platforms, and they stamp an artist’s brand in your head. In 2025, the highest-budget Nigerian music videos are basically cinematic trailers for a superstar’s universe.

Before we dive into the most expensive Nigerian music video, only a few Nigerian budgets are publicly confirmed; most are closely guarded or shared in interviews. Where exact costs aren’t on record, we’ve used conservative industry estimates based on director rates, filming locations, scales (set builds and dancers), and credible reporting on Nigerian video pricing. 

 

Ranking the Top 5 Most Expensive Nigerian Music Videos

1. Davido — “FEEL” (2023) — ₦100 million

You may wonder why we chose this as the top video, even though others are pricier. This is simply because, for once, we don’t have to guess. Davido publicly revealed he spent ₦100m on a TG Omori-directed video, one that was in the Timeless album. The music video, released in October 2023, was noted for its cinematic storytelling, which follows a couple’s challenging journey and the significant investment Davido made in its production.

Cost details:

• Direction & production (A-list director TG Omori plus multi-day shoot)
• Art department & set builds (the cinematic alleyways and interiors)
• Large cast/extras, choreography
• Lighting gear & lenses typical of short-film scale
• Post: colour grade, VFX clean-up, finishing at premium facilities

You need to check out this blockbuster music video that doubled as a brand statement during Davido’s Timeless era, and you’ll see where the budget went. 

2. Wizkid—”Come Closer” ft. Drake (2017)—Estimate: Upper tens of millions of naira

This music video is ranking second because it is a clean, minimal set design masquerading as “simple”, but it is notoriously expensive, especially with international director Daps and a North American production setup. The stylised warehouse builds, lighting grids, crane/dolly work and high-fashion wardrobe all push this into premium territory. Daps’ involvement is documented, but the budget isn’t. Given historical Nigerian “standard video” costs back then and top-tier director pricing, this sits plausibly in the upper tens of millions of naira in 2017 terms. 

Cost details:

• International director + production company
• Studio/warehouse rental, bespoke set design
• Advanced grip/lighting package, motion gear
• Top-shelf styling & glam teams

For the record, Drake didn’t appear in the final cut, but the production scale didn’t shrink.

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3. Tiwa Savage — “49-99” (2019) — Estimate: high tens of millions of naira

Meji Alabi directed this Tiwa Savage song. It was shot at Lagos’ historic Ebute Metta railway station, featuring expansive art direction, choreographed ensemble scenes, and that now-iconic premiere splash in Times Square/Sunset Boulevard. The whole roll-out screams expensive, and while the video’s exact naira figure isn’t public, the production detail plus Meji Alabi’s premium tier suggests a high-end budget. 

Cost details:

• Large-scale location control & permits (busy rail landmark)
• Costume design with heavy editorial styling
• High crew count; precision blocking & choreography
• Post-production and global launch assets

4. Burna Boy — “Sittin’ on Top of the World” (feat. 21 Savage) (2023) — Estimate: high tens of millions of naira

In this video, there was a slick Troy Roscoe visual that nods to glossy ‘90s hip-hop, featuring car rigs, large lighting builds, stylised sets, compositing/VFX beats (including the dramatic “space” sequence) and international talent costs. There was no published budget revealed on the internet, but the craft level and locations put it firmly in the premium bracket. 

Cost details:

• International production (crew + permits)
• Hero cars, speciality camera rigs
• VFX & finishing time beyond standard Afrobeats videos

5. Yemi Alade — “Shekere” ft. Angélique Kidjo (2020) — Estimate: mid–high tens of millions of naira

This video is deserving of this list because it was filmed across Kenya (Maasai Mara) and the UK, with traditional ensembles, location permits and travel costs for talent/crew (cross-border shoots are cost multipliers). Director Ovie Etseyatse’s brief leaned on cultural pageantry, including wardrobe builds, choreography and field production in remote settings. The budget for this music video isn’t public, but the multi-country logistics strongly suggest the mid- to high tens of millions. 

Cost details:

• International travel/logistics for cast & crew
• Cultural wardrobe & bespoke accessories
• Location fees for national parks/heritage sites
• Multi-day field production + safety/insurance

 

What Makes These the Highest-Budget Nigerian Music Videos?

• Location & scale 

This is the number one cost driver. Foreign shoots multiply costs because they would include permits, visas, per diems, and gear rental at international rates. Even within Nigeria, shutting down heritage sites or dense urban blocks is expensive due to security, logistics and municipal permits. 

• Direction & production company fees

Top directors (TG Omori, Meji Alabi, Director K, Daps) command premium fees with top-notch demand and delivery. 

• Art department & wardrobe

Big sets, fancy props (like classic cars and bikes), designer outfits and lots of extras make the budget shoot up fast.

• VFX & finishing

VFX sequences, advanced compositing, and high-end colour grade drive post-production bills up—especially when finishing for cinema-grade quality. 

• Time

You can’t get cheap, fast, and good all at once; you’ll have to decide what’s best for the music video. Hence, extra shoot days mean more rentals, overtime, and backup costs.

 

Conclusion: Nigerian Artists with the Most Expensive Videos

Here’s the truth: Nigeria now thinks and spends like a global pop capital. The most expensive Nigerian music videos aren’t just for fun; they’re investments in the music industry that travel farther and last longer. Davido’s “FEEL” established a valuable benchmark by quantifying what many industry insiders already knew to be true. And as artists chase bigger stages, cross-border collaborations, and world-tour storylines, we’ll see more nine-figure naira videos; some may be confirmed, while many will be whispered.

The Nigerian artist with the most expensive videos isn’t just about the figures but also about the foreign location locks, multi-day shoots with complex setups, A-list directors, and polished VFX work. That’s the recipe for the highest-budget Nigerian music videos in 2025 and the new baseline for artists who want to look as big as they sound.

 

FAQs About the Most Expensive Nigerian Music Videos

1: Which is the single most expensive Nigerian music video on record?

Davido’s “FEEL” at ₦100m is the only widely confirmed nine-figure naira budget to date. 

2: Do foreign shoots always mean “most expensive”?

Not always, but the odds are high. Crew, permits, rentals, and insurance at international rates are significant multipliers. For example, examine Burna’s glossy U.S./global shoots and Yemi Alade’s logistics in Kenya and the UK. 

3: How Much Does TG Omori Charge for Music Videos

TG Omori’s charges for music videos have ranged from approximately $50,000 USD (around 100 million Naira) for a single project in 2023 to over $94,000 USD (140 million Naira) in 2024. He is considered Africa’s highest-paid music video director, with charges that fluctuate based on market demand and the scope of the project.