The FCT Chapter of the Performing Musicians and Players Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has sought the FCT minister’s support to build a functional secretariat to enhance creative development.

The acting governor of the PMAN FCT Chapter, Michael Oyibo, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Oyibo said the association also unveiled plans to train and empower 3,000 youths across the territory to bridge professional gaps in the music industry.

He said the absence of a permanent office had affected the union’s administrative efficiency, noting that a standard secretariat would provide training facilities, welfare support and effective governance.

“A union without a base is a union without direction. We respectfully call on the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to support this vision.

”PMAN contributes significantly to youth engagement and economic activity, and a functional secretariat will serve as our administrative headquarters and a training hub,” he said.

Speaking on youth empowerment, Mr Oyibo expressed concern over the shortage of professional instrumentalists in the FCT music industry.

He recounted a recent audition where 99.9 per cent of participants were singers, leaving a void for skilled keyboardists, saxophonists, and other instrumentalists.

“We are launching a plan to train and empower 3,000 youths in instrumental performance, live band professionalism, music business, and production.

”Our mission is to position Abuja as Nigeria’s leading hub for live music excellence by partnering with music academies and private investors,” he added.

Addressing members’ welfare, Mr Oyibo decried underpayment and exploitation of musicians in the territory.

He stressed that the union would engage with hotels, lounges and event organisers to introduce minimum performance-pay benchmarks and promote professionalism within the industry.

“The time of musicians begging or being disrespected is over. We will negotiate with stakeholders to ensure no artist is underpaid.

“We are also deploying a task force to ensure that show promoters and event planners comply with industry standards and seek proper recognition from the union,” he said.

He further disclosed that, despite the administration’s 18-month tenure, it was prioritising digital transformation through a new membership registration system and an identification database to give Abuja-based musicians global visibility.

He urged members to remain united and committed to the union’s growth while announcing that the previously scheduled congress had been postponed to allow for better planning and wider engagement.

(NAN)