Valentine Palava: Why Nigerians are streaming more heartbreak songs

Love may be in the air, but so too is heartbreak—at least for many Nigerians who are turning to music to process their emotions this Valentine’s season.

According to Spotify, there has been a staggering 626% increase in streams of heartbreak songs in Nigeria between 2022 and 2024, highlighting that not everyone is feeling the romance.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, noted this unexpected trend in a statement released in Lagos.

“Spotify data reveals a surprising pattern—a dramatic rise in heartbreak song streams. Nigerians are using their playlists to express emotions, with heartbreak-related streams soaring by 626% over the past two years,” she said.

Interestingly, the data also indicates that men are streaming heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than women. Streams from male listeners have surged by 362%, compared to a 169% increase among women, suggesting that men may be turning to music as a private means of coping with heartbreak.

“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear—when love is in the air, so is heartbreak. And Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected,” Okumu added.

While Valentine’s Day is often associated with grand romantic gestures, the reality behind the scenes tells a different story. Heartbreak appears to be just as much a part of the celebration as love itself.

Nigerians joined the rest of the world in marking Valentine’s Day last Friday, but for many, the soundtrack of the season was not just love songs—it was also filled with the bittersweet melodies of heartache.