Nigerian music executive and talent manager, Ubi Franklin, has shed light on why he includes a clause in contracts that restricts female artistes from becoming pregnant during the duration of their agreement.
Speaking on the Culture Sonic podcast, Franklin emphasized that the entertainment industry requires significant financial investment. He noted that developing a new artiste, particularly one yet to achieve mainstream success, can cost up to ₦300 million, often with no guarantee of profit.
According to him, if a female artiste becomes pregnant before establishing a stable career, it could derail her progress and potentially render the investor’s efforts fruitless.
“I’m not against women having children,” Franklin clarified. “But it’s crucial to build a solid foundation in your career first. It’s incredibly challenging for a rising female artiste in Nigeria to recover professionally after childbirth if her brand isn’t already firmly established.”
He highlighted the seriousness of the music business, cautioning against equating it with the casual, playful nature often seen on social media.
“This is a serious business. People think because artistes post content and engage online, it’s all fun and games. It’s not. Breaking an artiste today requires at least ₦150 million, and even that might not be enough. In some cases, you might spend ₦300 million and still not see a return on investment,” Franklin said.
He added, “Whenever I sign a female artiste, I include a clause that bars pregnancy during the contract period. That’s not to control their personal lives, but to protect the investment. If she gets pregnant during that crucial early stage, it could be over. Show me a female artiste in our industry who had not built her career before giving birth and still managed to make a strong comeback, there are very few, if any.”
