International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences Vol-6, Issue-3; May-Jun, 2021 Journal Home Page Available: https://ijels.com/ Journal DOI: 10.22161/ijels Peer-Reviewed Journal IJELS-2021, 6(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.63.18 112 Professional Music Practice: The Nigeria Example Jayeola, Folorunso David Department of Music, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) Received: 21 Feb 2021; Received in revised form: 29 Apr 2021; Accepted: 12 May 2021; Available online: 27 May 2021 ©2021 The Author(s). Published by Infogain Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Abstract— Nigeria is known to be a multi ethnic nation that practices different kinds of music. It has also been observed that not all Nigerian performers are actually professionals in their various areas of specialization because of the standard of their performances. Moreso, some claim to be music professionals because they are academic musicians. Practicing music professionally means to be skillful, versatile, creative, expressive, educative, inspiring, etc. Therefore, this research reviews who really are professionals in music practice and gives some important tips for a professional in music practice. It makes expositions in some areas of musical professionalism in Nigeria, such as; Professionalism in Vocal Music (Sacred and Secular), Professionalism in Instrumentation, Professionalism in Church Music, Professionalism in Pop Music, Professionalism in African Music and Professionalism in theory of Music. The researchers find this work necessary because it brought out what it takes to practice music professionally and expresses why an academic musician should also be more skillful in practice in other to prove the worth of using the word “Professional”. Keyword— Professionalism, Music, Musician, and Academic Musicians. INTRODUCTION It is good for everyone to know that it is essential for any one that wants to be successful to be a professional. For some, being professional might mean dressing smartly at work, or doing a good job. For others, being professional means having advanced degrees and many certificates framed and hung on the office wall. In Nigeria some musicians are seen as academic musicians, while some are seen as performing musicians. Today, most Nigerians see only the performing musicians as the professional musician because these are the kind of musicians that give them what they need musically at a particular point in time. Explaining further on this Okafor (2005) noted that, They are the academic Western Trained musicians, people trained in all the rudiments and theories of the arts - who may not necessarily be as proficient or as naturally gifted in performance. This does not disqualify a person being called a musician. Indeed, in the modern context, he lays total claim to being a musician. But, then, there are other people gifted excellent performers - who may not be trained academically or formally in the art, but whose natural talents release music, which the society accepts. These are the master musicians. (p.1). Professionals are opposed to the amateur. Therefore, both the academic music professionals and the performing music professionals should do what they know best in order to project their professionalism in their various specific areas. Froehlich (2007) explains that “to be musically – professional, means to be part of the community of people who earn livings making music”. It means that a professional musician is duty bound to affect his