Nigerian DJs must now be careful when playing music publicly without proper permission. The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) recently warned that DJs who perform music without the right license or owner approval could face serious penalties. These include up to five years in prison or a fine of at least one million naira.
Dr. John Asein, the NCC Director-General, made this announcement in Abuja. He said many DJs perform music publicly without getting licenses from copyright owners or Collective Management Organisations (CMOs). According to the Copyright Act of 2022, only copyright owners can reproduce or publicly perform their musical works.
Dr. John Asein, the NCC Director-General
Dr. Asein explained, “Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act.” This infringement can lead to civil or criminal charges. He added, “Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or both.”
Public music performances by DJs at places like clubs, hotels, and event centers count as public communication of musical works. This means DJs must get the right licenses and pay royalties before playing music.
Dr. Asein urged all DJs to follow the law. “The commission would not hesitate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found to be in contravention of the law.”
Though the law is clear, enforcement remains a challenge in Nigeria. Tracking all DJs across the country is tough, but the NCC is committed to protecting artists’ rights and making sure creators earn their due royalties. This effort aims to boost Nigeria’s music industry by respecting copyright laws.
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