The Nigerian Federal Government has issued a stern warning to DJs across the country, declaring that any public performance of music without a valid license could result in a five-year jail term or a N1 million fine.
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This warning was issued on Wednesday by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in Abuja through an advisory signed by its Director-General, Dr. John Asein.
According to the NCC, under Sections 9 and 12 of the 2022 Copyright Act, the exclusive right to publicly perform, reproduce, or communicate a musical work belongs solely to the copyright holder. DJs who play songs in public places without proper authorization from the rights owners or registered Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) are committing copyright infringement.
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“Public performance of music by DJs at event centres, hotels, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities constitutes both a public performance and a communication to the public,” the DG stated.
He further explained that under Section 44(7) of the Copyright Act, any unauthorized use of copyrighted music amounts to a civil wrong or criminal offence, which is punishable upon conviction.
“The penalty is a fine of N1 million, five years imprisonment, or both,” Dr. Asein warned.
The NCC stressed that DJs and event organizers must now take proactive steps to obtain necessary licenses or face legal consequences. With increasing reports of copyright violations across Nigeria’s entertainment and events industry, the government appears to be stepping up enforcement.
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This announcement has sparked reactions among DJs and entertainers online, with many calling for clearer licensing processes and better public awareness. However, legal experts insist that ignorance of the law is no excuse under the current statute.
Musicians and rights holders have long called for stricter protection of their intellectual property, and the FG's recent clampdown could mark a turning point in how music is publicly used in Nigeria.
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