I lost endorsement deal for refusing to sleep with company owner

Popular Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has opened up about the persistent demand for sex in exchange for opportunities—one of the major challenges women face in the country’s music industry.

Speaking during a panel session at Entertainment Week Africa, Savage recounted personal experiences where she was pressured to visit influential male executives before being considered for certain shows.

She also revealed that she once lost an endorsement deal after refusing to travel to Dubai with the company’s co-owner.

Savage said these situations made her realise that some industry executives valued her body more than her talent.

“I had been told that if I didn’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 didn’t value my talent but my body, which I was only flaunting as part of branding. It ended up hurting me because that is all they were seeing,” she said.