Nigerian DJs may face up to five years in prison or a minimum fine of ₦1 million if they play music without a license or the owner’s authorization, according to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The warning was issued by Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, in an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Asein noted that the commission has observed that some DJs publicly perform music without securing the necessary copyright licences from rights holders or their Collective Management Organisations (CMOs).

He clarified that under sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, only the copyright owner in a musical work or sound recording has the legal right to reproduce, perform, or publicly communicate the content.

“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” Asein said.

He added, “Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or both.”

Asein also emphasised that “the public performance of music by a DJ, whether at hotels, event centres, clubs, gardens, or recreational facilities, constitutes both a public performance and a communication to the public of the musical work and sound recording, as provided for under the Act.”