Omotayo Fashola
Nigeria’s music scene faces a stern warning as the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) cracks down on unauthorized playback. The regulatory body has issued a strict advisory targeting disc jockeys who play copyrighted music without proper licensing.
In a Wednesday statement from Abuja, NCC Director-General John Asein revealed growing concerns over DJs performing in public venues without securing permissions from accredited collective management organizations (CMOs).
Quoting sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act (2022), Asein emphasized that only copyright holders possess exclusive rights to reproduce, perform, or broadcast musical works. Violators risk severe penalties including ₦1 million fines or five-year prison sentences under Section 44(7).
“Unauthorized public performance constitutes infringement,” Asein stressed, “and we will pursue both civil and criminal actions against offenders.”
The NCC mandated all DJs to immediately regularize their operations through proper licensing with the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), the nation’s sole approved CMO for music rights.
Highlighting existing collaborations, the Commission noted DJAN’s memorandum with MCSN to streamline royalty payments nationwide. “This negotiated tariff system provides DJs with compliant operation frameworks,” Asein concluded, warning of impending enforcement raids against persistent violators.
John Okoro
