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Stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative industry have called for stronger protection of audiovisual performers’ rights and improved welfare measures to ensure fair remuneration and long-term sustainability for artists.
The call was made during a recent policy engagement roundtable on “Audiovisual Performers’ Rights and Welfare in Nigeria, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” organised by My Intellectual Property Law Guide (MiPLG), in partnership with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in Lagos.
Participants at the event stressed the need for effective implementation of copyright laws, improved royalty administration and stronger social welfare systems to support performers who contribute significantly to the nation’s creative economy.
Speaking at the roundtable, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, said the Copyright Act 2022 had considerably strengthened legal protection for performers in Nigeria.
Represented by the NCC Lagos zonal director, Ms. Lynda Alphaeus, Asein noted that the legislation recognises and protects the rights of performers in audiovisual productions while addressing emerging challenges linked to the digital exploitation and commercialisation of creative works.
According to him, the audiovisual industry remains one of the most vibrant sectors of Nigeria’s creative economy, with performers playing a crucial role in promoting the country’s cultural heritage to local and international audiences.
“As Nigeria positions itself to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, discussions around performers’ rights and welfare become even more critical,” he said.
He explained that the integrated African market presents enormous opportunities for performers, creators and rights holders, but also demands stronger frameworks for rights protection, fair remuneration and welfare support.
Asein urged stakeholders to leverage the platform to exchange ideas and contribute to policies that would strengthen the creative ecosystem in Nigeria and across the African continent.
Also speaking, intellectual property expert, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, underscored the importance of stronger legal and welfare protections for performers.
He observed that while performers are often the most visible faces of creative works and enjoy widespread public recognition, many continue to struggle financially despite their contributions to society and the economy.
Sodipo noted that copyright laws around the world have evolved from focusing primarily on authors to recognising the critical role performers play in bringing creative works to life through their interpretations.
“Performers have immense brand power and influence. Rights do not come automatically; stakeholders must engage policymakers and push for reforms that will improve their welfare and earnings,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of collective management systems for the effective collection and equitable distribution of royalties, while highlighting the growing impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence on rights management and royalty administration.
The professor also expressed concern about the plight of some veteran performers who, despite making significant contributions to society, later experience financial hardship.
Participants agreed that greater collaboration among government agencies, industry practitioners and policymakers is essential to ensure Nigerian creatives fully benefit from opportunities offered by AfCFTA while securing sustainable livelihoods for performers.
