CHICAGO — Nigerian singer Tems performed at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, joining a major international programme celebrating the launch of the centre. The performance further highlighted the growing international profile of Nigerian and African music. Tems, whose career has expanded significantly beyond Nigeria, performed before an audience that included prominent figures from entertainment and public life. The event brought together several internationally recognised performers and provided a global platform for the Nigerian artist. Speaking about the performance, Tems acknowledged feeling nervous before taking the stage despite her growing experience performing for large audiences. Her appearance reflected the increasing presence of African artists at major international cultural events. Nigerian music has experienced significant growth in global visibility over the past several years. Afrobeats artists have built audiences across Europe, North America and other parts of the world, while collaborations with international musicians have expanded the genre's reach. Tems has been part of that wider movement. Her music has attracted international recognition, including Grammy success, and she has worked with artists from different parts of the global music industry. Performances at major international events can further strengthen the visibility of African music. They also create opportunities for artists to introduce different sounds and cultural influences to audiences who may have had limited exposure to them. The global growth of Afrobeats has created new commercial opportunities for Nigerian musicians, producers, songwriters and other professionals in the creative industry. It has also increased interest in Nigeria's wider entertainment sector. However, international recognition does not remove the challenges facing the domestic industry. Artists continue to deal with issues including intellectual-property protection, music distribution, access to finance and infrastructure. Reliable electricity, professional recording facilities and effective copyright enforcement remain important to the growth of the sector. Nigerian artists are also increasingly using digital platforms to reach audiences directly. Streaming services allow music to travel beyond geographical boundaries, while social media gives artists additional ways to promote their work. The international success of leading artists can therefore create opportunities for emerging performers. Tems' performance also demonstrated the cultural influence that Nigerian musicians can have outside the country. Music has become an important part of Nigeria's international cultural identity and can contribute to the country's creative-economy ambitions. For younger musicians, international appearances by established Nigerian artists can serve as evidence that careers built locally can achieve global recognition. The challenge for the industry will be ensuring that the benefits of international growth extend beyond a small number of stars. More investment in music education, production, management and creative entrepreneurship could help build a stronger ecosystem. As Nigerian music continues to attract global attention, performances such as Tems' appearance at the Obama Presidential Center provide another opportunity to showcase the country's creative talent. The growing international audience for African music suggests that the sector will remain an important part of Nigeria's cultural and economic influence.