Nigerian Copyright Commission Cracks Down on DJs Over Unauthorised Use of Music
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to Disc Jockeys (DJs) across the country, cautioning them against the unauthorised public performance of copyrighted music. In an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja, the Commission emphasised that DJs who fail to obtain proper licenses from rights holders or their approved Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) risk facing prosecution, with penalties reaching up to ₦1 million in fines or a five-year jail term upon conviction.
Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, stated that the Commission had observed a growing trend of DJs performing music at public venues—such as clubs, hotels, event centres, and recreational spaces—without securing the necessary copyright permissions. According to him, public performances of music, whether at clubs, hotels, event centres, or recreational venues, constitute both a public performance and a communication to the public, both of which are exclusive rights reserved for copyright owners under Sections 9 and 12 of the Act. He noted that “engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” adding that such violations could be treated as both civil wrongs and criminal offences under Section 44(7) of the Copyright Act, 2022.
To streamline compliance, the NCC highlighted that the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) is the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria. The Commission also acknowledged the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN) for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN, enabling DJs to pay royalties based on a negotiated tariff structure.
The NCC affirmed its commitment to enforcement, stating it would not hesitate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found in violation of the law. It also pledged to collaborate with relevant authorities to support DJAN’s efforts in ensuring lawful music use.
This initiative goes to show that Nigeria’s entertainment industry is undergoing a pivotal transformation, one that seeks to elevate professionalism, protect creative labour, and build a sustainable ecosystem for artists and performers. The broader goal is to transition the entertainment sector from an informal, loosely regulated space into a professionally governed industry where creative contributions are valued not only artistically but economically.
This advisory signals a broader push by the Nigerian government to protect intellectual property rights and foster a more sustainable creative economy. For DJs and event organisers, the message is clear: respect for copyright is not just ethical, it is legally mandatory.