NCC Warns DJs Over Unlicensed Music Use, Cites Five-Year Penalty

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to disc jockeys (DJs) across the country: stop spinning tracks in public without proper authorization—or risk a hefty fine or jail time.

In an advisory released Wednesday in Abuja, NCC Director-General John Asein expressed concern over what he described as a rising trend of DJs performing music in public spaces without obtaining the required copyright licences from approved collective management organisations (CMOs).

“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” Asein stated, referencing Sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, which grant copyright owners exclusive rights to reproduce, perform, or broadcast their work.

Violators could face serious consequences: a fine of at least ₦1 million, a five-year prison sentence—or both.

The NCC’s message is clear: unauthorized public performances of music are not just unethical, they’re illegal.

Asein urged DJs to ensure compliance by obtaining proper licences and paying royalties through Nigeria’s approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings—the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN).

In a move to streamline compliance, the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN) has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MCSN. This agreement allows DJAN to facilitate royalty payments on behalf of its members, based on negotiated tariffs.

The NCC says it won’t hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found in violation of the law.

“This is not a grey area,” Asein emphasized. “The rules are clear, the mechanisms are in place, and the consequences are real.”