According to Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa, this trend highlights how Nigerians are turning to music to express deep emotions during the season of love.

“Spotify data reveals a surprising trend—heartbreak songs are taking center stage. Nigerians are streaming these songs at an unprecedented rate, with a 626% overall growth in heartbreak streams over the last two years,” Okumu stated.

Nigerian Men Stream More Heartbreak Songs Than Women

Interestingly, male listeners in Nigeria are playing heartbreak songs at a much higher rate than female listeners. Data shows a 362% increase among men, compared to 169% among women.

“This suggests that men may resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more deeply, turning to music as a private outlet for processing emotions,” Okumu added.

Valentine’s Day: A Season of Love and Heartbreak

While Valentine’s Day is traditionally about love and romance, Spotify’s data reveals that heartbreak is also a major theme during this time. With love in the air, so is heartbreak—and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.

As Nigerians join the rest of the world in celebrating Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14, 2025, one thing is clear: the sound of love is now accompanied by the echoes of heartbreak.