In celebration of World Intellectual Property Day 2025, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called on all commercial users of music to obtain proper licenses from right holders or their approved representatives.
This legal obligation, the Commission emphasized, ensures fair compensation for creators and contributes to the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s vibrant music industry.
The statement, signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike, and made available to Oodua News Newspaper in Ibadan, highlights this year’s theme: “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP.”
According to the release, the NCC, in collaboration with private sector stakeholders, will soon launch an aggressive anti-piracy campaign, particularly targeting online environments.
The Commission also announced its commitment to implementing legally enforceable standards for transparency, digital audits, and real-time royalty reporting to safeguard creators’ rights and foster a fair, sustainable music ecosystem.
The NCC lauded Nigerian musicians for their global impact, particularly through the infectious energy of Afrobeats. Nigerian artistes are topping global charts, selling out stadiums, and building powerful cultural connections worldwide. Through their music, they have become ambassadors of Nigeria’s identity, values, and resilience—showcasing the soft power of the country’s creative economy.
The Commission stressed that, behind every melody, beat, and lyric is a creator, whether a composer, singer, or sound engineer—whose works depend on strong intellectual property protections. Without copyright laws, creators would lack the necessary incentives to produce the music that enriches lives globally.
“As the value of Nigerian music continues to rise, the Nigerian government recognizes the need to provide legal, institutional, and technological support to empower creators,” the release stated. “The NCC remains committed to fostering an environment where the dreams and talents of our musicians can thrive.”
Despite Nigerian music’s international success, the average local artistes continue to earn low royalties, a situation worsened by digital piracy. To address this, the NCC recently revised the Collective Management Regulations, aiming to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance among Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), which negotiate, collect, and distribute royalties to right holders.
The Commission is also intensifying its fight against digital piracy. With the backing of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, the NCC has been designated a relevant authority under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022. This designation strengthens the Commission’s ability to tackle online infringement.
The recently enacted Copyright Act, 2022, further empowers the Commission to order the takedown of infringing materials and block websites hosting illegal content.
“In partnership with private sector players, the NCC will roll out a comprehensive anti-piracy campaign, establishing legally enforceable standards to secure creators’ rights and build a sustainable future for Nigeria’s music industry.
“As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day 2025, the NCC reaffirmed its commitment to policies that support the music industry’s growth, improve musicians’ livelihoods, and foster a culture of creativity and respect for intellectual property.
“We envision a thriving music industry where creativity flourishes, creators are respected, and financial rewards match their contributions to the global cultural landscape,” the Commission declared.
