Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has opened up about the gender bias women face in the country’s music scene.

In a recent interview with the BBC, the Love Me Jeje hitmaker revealed that at the start of her career, she often struggled to be taken seriously simply because she was a woman.

“People don’t really respect women in the [music] industry,” Tems said.

Determined to change this narrative, Tems launched The Leading Vibe Initiative, a platform designed to help women gain easier access to opportunities, connect with wider audiences, and achieve greater success.

She encouraged aspiring female artists to define their personal values and boundaries from the outset.

“What are the things you wouldn’t do for fame and the things you would do?” she advised, urging women to take control of their brand and vision in the industry.