In celebration of this year’s World Intellectual Property Day, under the theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) joins the global community in recognizing the immense value of music as the heartbeat of creativity. Music is a universal language that not only entertains but also educates, motivates, and unites people across the world. Nigeria’s Global Music Influence Nigerian music, particularly the infectious energy of Afrobeats, has emerged as a powerful global force.
Nigerian musicians are making their mark internationally, with artists topping global charts, selling out stadiums worldwide, and forming powerful cultural connections. Through their music, they have become ambassadors of Nigeria’s identity, values, and resilience, demonstrating the soft power of the country’s creative economy. The Role of Intellectual Property Behind every melody, beat, and lyric is a creator—whether a composer, singer, sound engineer, or other key contributors—who depends on intellectual property, particularly copyright, to protect their works and ensure they are fairly compensated. Without strong intellectual property protections, creators would not be incentivized to produce the music that enriches lives worldwide.
Music must feel the beat of intellectual property for the full potential of creativity to be realized. Supporting Nigeria’s Creative Economy As the value of Nigerian music continues to rise, the Nigerian government recognizes the importance of providing the legal, institutional, and technological support necessary to empower creators. This includes implementing policies that nurture the growth of the industry and protect its intellectual capital. The Nigerian Copyright Commission remains committed to fostering an environment that supports the dreams and talents of our musicians. Despite the international success of Nigerian music, the royalties earned by the average Nigerian artist remain alarmingly low, with digital piracy exacerbating the issue.
In response, the Nigerian Copyright Commission has recently revised the Collective Management Regulations to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance among collective management organisations (CMOs). These organizations play a critical role in ensuring that music royalties are negotiated, collected, and distributed fairly to right holders. Tackling Piracy and Strengthening Enforcement The Commission is also stepping up efforts to address digital piracy. With the support of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, who has designated the Nigerian Copyright Commission as a relevant authority under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, the Commission is now better equipped to tackle online infringement.
Additionally, the Copyright Act, 2022, provides provisions for the takedown of infringing materials and the blocking of websites hosting illegal content. A Call to Action for Music Users The Nigerian Copyright Commission calls on all commercial users of music to obtain proper licenses from right holders or their approved representatives. This legal obligation ensures that creators are fairly compensated for their work and contributes to the sustainable growth of the industry. Private Sector Partnerships and Anti-Piracy Campaigns In collaboration with private sector stakeholders, the Commission will launch an aggressive anti-piracy campaign targeting the online environment. The Commission is committed to putting in place legally enforceable standards for transparency, digital audits, and real-time royalty reporting to safeguard the rights of creators and ensure a fair, sustainable music ecosystem.
Looking to the Future As World Intellectual Property Day 2025 is celebrated, the Nigerian Copyright Commission will continue to champion policies that support the growth of the music industry, improve the livelihoods of Nigerian musicians, 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 are commensurate with their contributions to the global cultural landscape.
Mrs. Ijeoma Egbunike
Director
