N1.2bn copyright levy signals transition from policy to benefit

Nigeria’s dormant copyright levy framework, first embedded in the country’s legal architecture in 1988, has now entered active implementation, following coordinated moves by the Performing Musicians’ Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN).

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Nigerian Music House in Lekki, Lagos, PMAN President, Pretty Okafor, described the development as a structural shift for the creative sector, noting that the recently disbursed copyright levy of N1.2 billion under Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022, signals a transition from policy to practical benefit for Nigerian musicians.

“This moment represents more than a policy announcement; it is an institutional signal that Nigeria is prepared to move the creative economy from sentiment to structure – from applause to accountability,” he said.

Okafor stressed that the levy is not a discretionary payment but a statutory mechanism designed to compensate creators for private copying and reproduction within the modern digital ecosystem.

According to him, although the levy concept has existed in Nigeria’s copyright system since 1988, it had remained largely dormant until recent administrative activation. He used the opportunity to clarify eligibility and participation, stating that the copyright levy is open to all Nigerian artistes, regardless of affiliation, provided they complete the required verification process.

The PMAN president emphasised that the union’s national database exercise is intended to ensure broad-based and transparent distribution.

“This fund is meant to reach the grassroots and every Nigerian creator, no matter where they are located. That is the spirit of the levy – broad-based, welfare-oriented, and designed to reflect the realities of copying and reproduction in a modern digital economy,” he stated.

On the role of Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), Okafor clarified that Nigerian artistes who are already members of other CMOs are not excluded. Such artistes, he explained, may formally notify their existing CMOs to collaborate with PMAN and MCSN in administering the levy, or designate MCSN as their exclusive body for this specific framework.

The PMAN’s helmsman noted that the objective is not institutional rivalry but ensuring that legitimate right owners – performers and producers – receive lawful benefits, while preventing exploitation by unauthorised intermediaries.

Pretty Okafor also urged musicians to maintain proper documentation of their works and register with approved collective administration structures to strengthen transparency and auditability in the distribution process.

“The creative community must rise above fear, gossip, and sabotage; the cost of silence and disunity is poverty for the artist and weakness for the nation,” he warned.

Reaffirming its mandate, Okafor said PMAN would continue working within its constitutional role to protect musicians’ welfare, improve compliance, and advocate stronger enforcement systems that bring Nigerian creators closer to global standards of protection and income security.

However, in his remarks at the media briefing, MCSN’s Head of Media, Mr. Halim Muhammed, revealed that the organisation has been under intense pressure from various stakeholders, urging it to take side on the crisis rocking the Performing Musicians’ Employers Association of Nigeria.

“The pressures are outright attacks on the integrity and neutrality of MCSN, which we took in good faith,” he stated. “Without interfering in the internal affairs of PMAN, MCSN wishes to observe and state that a Certified True Copy of a Consent Judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria dated 5th February 2025 was sent to MCSN, requesting MCSN to abide with the consent judgment and work with the PMAN leadership.

“MCSN also received copy of the Certified True Copy of the Order of Interlocutory Injunction of the same National Industrial Court of Nigeria dated 30th October 2025, which apparently overrides the Consent Judgement of 5th February 2025.”

Muhammed concluded: “In view of the resolution of the Board of MCSN to the effect that the Society works with the leadership of the PMAN legally recognised as pronounced by the appropriate judicial authority, MCSN is bound by the Order of Interlocutory Injunction of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria dated 30th October 2025, while the Order subsists.”

He, nevertheless, called for a quick resolution of the internal disputes within PMAN “for the benefits of all its members all over the country and the music industry at large.”

Now, with the first tranche of the levy already processed and disbursed through the Nigerian Copyright Commission to MCSN, stakeholders say the focus instantly shifts to verification, documentation and credible nationwide distribution, steps expected to determine whether the long-awaited framework delivers meaningful economic impact for Nigerian musicians.