NCC warns DJs against playing music publicly without license

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to DJs, urging them to stop playing or remixing copyrighted music in public without proper authorization from the copyright owners or a valid license.

According to the Commission, any DJ found guilty of violating this directive could face a fine of up to ₦1 million or a jail term of up to five years—or both—under the Copyright Act of 2022.

The NCC stressed that while DJs are an essential part of Nigeria’s music and entertainment scene, they must respect intellectual property rights. The Commission is working with key stakeholders, including the Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) and licensed Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) such as the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), to enforce this regulation and ensure fair compensation for music creators.

To support compliance, CMOs will offer training sessions for DJs and their associations. The NCC also announced that it will begin regular inspections at venues where music is played to confirm that the proper licenses have been obtained.

DJs are advised to register with a CMO, obtain a public performance license, and stay informed about copyright laws to avoid legal trouble.

This move is part of a broader effort to protect the rights of Nigerian artists and ensure that their work is not used without permission or payment.