DJs risk five-year jail term for performing music without licence

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has intensified its crackdown on Disc Jockeys (DJs) who publicly perform copyrighted music without proper authorization. The commission has warned that DJs must obtain licenses from rights holders or approved Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) before playing music at events, clubs, hotels, or recreational facilities.

Failure to comply could result in a fine of at least ₦1 million or a jail term of up to five years upon conviction2. The NCC emphasized that unauthorized public performances constitute both copyright infringement and criminal offenses under the Copyright Act, 2022.

To facilitate compliance, the Disc Jockeys Association of Nigeria (DJAN) has partnered with the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) to streamline royalty payments for DJs nationwide. The NCC has vowed to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found violating the law.