The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has disbursed ₦1.21 billion as the first tranche of the Copyright Levy for musical works and sound recordings, pursuant to Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022. MCSN praised Tinubu, the Attorney-General, and the NCC Director-General for facilitating the release, highlighting that the move aligns with the government’s agenda to strengthen the creative industry and improve the economic standing of Nigerian musicians.
MCSN emphasised that the levy will benefit creators nationwide, reaching grassroots performers, and countered claims by RELPI, which it said misrepresents sound recording ownership and prioritises foreign interests.
PMAN also commended the release, framing it as a legal, statutory scheme intended to boost compliance, protect performers’ rights, and support economic growth within the entertainment sector. Forum users expressed mixed views, with some seeing the release as campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, while others highlighted its potential to set a framework for fair compensation for creators.
