Extending Public Performance Licensing Enforcement To Nigeria’s Silent Music Users

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (the “Commission”) once issued a strong warning to Disc Jockeys (DJs) in the country, advising them against playing music in public without authorization from the lawful owner of the music. As reported by The Nation, a local Nigerian Newspaper, on June 13, 2025, DJs who play music without obtaining license from the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (“MCSN”) are liable to a fine of not less than N1,000,000 (One million Naira) or imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 (five) years or to both. The Commission also noted that the public performance of music by DJs whether at hotels, event centres, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities qualifies both as public performance and communication to the public under the Copyright Act. Therefore, DJs and venue operators must ensure they have the proper authorization to avoid infringing copyright laws.