Copyright levy: PMAN commends FG’s approval, tasks members on registration

…As MCSN offers clarifications

Following the recent release of N1.2 billion, in the first tranche of copyright levy by the federal government, the Nigerian creative industry, particular musicians are excited considering the anticipated economic impact.

In view of the above, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Musical Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MSCN) have commended the federal government for approving the Copyright Levy Act 2022, which guarantees the levy, while calling on members of PMAN to register to enjoy the benefits accruing from it.

Addressing a World Press Conference, which held at the PMAN National Secretariat, Nigerian Music House, Lekki, Lagos recently, Pretty Okafor, the association’s president, explained that the fund from the copyright levy is meant to reach the grassroots and every Nigerian creator, no matter where they are located.

Okafor explained the place of sound recording in the framework, noting that it captures a shared interest between producers and performers whose performances are documented in recordings. According to him, in many territories, the rights and revenue streams from sound recordings are commonly structured on a shared basis, often around a-50/50 model between producers and performers, insisting that all parties would get what truly accrues to them.

However, PMAN maintained that Nigeria’s system must protect legitimate right owners and ensure that lawful benefits reach real creators; performers and producers rather than opportunists, gatekeepers, and counterfeit claimants.

Okafor reiterated that PMAN remains the only legally recognised union/association of performing musicians and employers of musicians; including stakeholders across the performing and production ecosystem.

The Okafor-led leadership is also strengthening protection for performers and improving industry compliance, resulting in a memorandum of understanding with MCSN on July 1, 2020, aimed to support licensing compliance, enforcement, and protection of performing musician’s rights. “The collaboration is designed for compliance, accountability, and improved welfare for performers whose labours power the Nigerian music economy,” Okafor said.

On modality for the registration, Okafor noted that PMAN will compile verified entries from its national database and provide them to MCSN to support a credible and auditable disbursement process for eligible performers.

He advised musicians to jettison misinformation being circulated by factions or individuals to derail participation or position themselves as gatekeepers over what belongs to Nigerian creators as a matter of law and policy.

PMAN used the forum to convey its gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his political will and administrative clarity ensured that the first tranche of the Copyright Levy under section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022 was signed into law and released through the relevant instructions.

It also recognised the leadership of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Justice and commended the efforts of John Obi Asein, director-general, NCC, as well as Mayowa Ayilaran, CEO, MCSN, for their diligence and clarity demonstrated in advancing collective and communicating the development to the public.

Also, at the World Press Conference, the MSCN offered the necessary clarifications, noting that the Copyright Act contemplates a levy on materials used or capable of being used to infringe copyright, and the proper disbursement ecosystem through the NCC.

The MSCN also explained that the copy levy is not the same as copyright royalties. While royalties arise from uses such as public performance, broadcast, reproduction, or other exploitation of copyright, managed through authorised structures, Copy Levy is a statutory levy scheme under the Copyright, administered through the NCC’s institutional framework, with disbursement to approved collective administration channels.

On the framework and the beneficiaries, it explained that in Nigeria, many performers whose performances were recorded in albums are also members and assignors of MSCN, alongside many independent record producers, label and owners who are also real stakeholders in sound recordings within the Nigerian market.

Speaking on the development, Aralola Olumuywa, PMAN governor for Lagos State, Olarenwaju David Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector, both welcomed the development, stating that it would add value to the economic lives of the Nigerian musicians.

Vector assured that he would use his position to create awareness, especially to the new generation of musicians to take advantage of the opportunity to register with PMAN and enjoy the benefits of Copy Levy.

In the same vein, Ali Mohammed, communication manager, MSCN, stressed the need for musicians to support the levy initiative, while directing members to log onto the PMAN’s website for further information and regulation.

Read also: REPRONIG commends FG on copyright

In a related development, and following the press conference, MCSN has issued a public statement confirming that it has received and reviewed the relevant court processes concerning PMAN’s leadership, including a Certified True Copy of a Consent Judgment dated February 5, 2025 and a Certified True Copy of an Order of Interlocutory Injunction dated October 30, 2025 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

Represented by Halim Mohammed at the World Press Conference, the MSCN offered clarifications on questions asked by members of the media present and further stated that, based on its Board’s resolution and the principle that it must work with the PMAN leadership legally recognised as pronounced by the appropriate judicial authority, it is bound by the Order of Interlocutory Injunction dated October 30, 2025 while the Order subsists.

The clarification, according to the statement, is necessary because it puts to rest the misinformation being circulated by certain individuals who have attempted to present themselves to stakeholders as equally PMAN is aware that letters and content have been circulated to create confusion and to discourage musicians from participating in the Copy Levy Beneficiary Verification exercise.

“Members should understand that this type of deception is not only harmful to PMAN as an institution—it is directly harmful to musicians, because it is aimed at preventing eligible performers from being properly captured, verified, and considered for benefits,” the statement read in part.

The above, according to PMAN, is further evidence that MCSN is approaching the matter professionally and transparently, and that it recognises the importance of engaging the association’s leadership structure in a manner consistent with the subsisting court order.

In view of the developments, PMAN made some clarification that it is not the entity disbursing or paying the Copyright Levy to individual musicians. That PMAN’s duty, as the legally recognised union/association of performing musicians and employers of musicians nationwide, is to ensure that a credible, verified database of real performing musicians exists—across urban and rural Nigeria—and that eligible members are not excluded due to misinformation, intimidation, or fraudulent lists.

Accordingly, PMAN is finalising the first batch of verified names from the ongoing Copy Levy Beneficiary Verification exercise for onward transmission to MCSN through the appropriate engagement channel, in line with the framework that MCSN has publicly reaffirmed. PMAN will continue to insist on fairness, transparency, and accountability so that benefits reach legitimate musicians—not ghost beneficiaries and not opportunists.

Members are strongly advised to ignore any factional propaganda or emotional blackmail discouraging participation.

PMAN renewed its call for participation in the Copy Levy Beneficiary Verification, and also warned that the process is free, while multiple entries or false information will be disqualified.

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