President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Pretty Okafor, has called on Nigerian musicians, particularly those at the grassroots, to participate in the Copy Levy Beneficiary Verification by registering on PMAN’s national database.
Speaking at a media parley at the PMAN headquarters in Lagos, Okafor expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for providing the political will and administrative clarity that enabled the first tranche of the Copyright Levy under Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the Director-General of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, and Mayowa Ayilaran, CEO of MCSN.
Okafor said the initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions Nigeria’s creative industry as a key driver of national productivity, employment, exports, and sustainable prosperity.
“The implementation of the Levy framework represents more than a policy announcement; it is an institutional signal that Nigeria is prepared to move the creative economy from sentiment to structure – from applause to accountability,” Okafor explained.
He emphasized that the Copyright Levy is a statutory mechanism under the Copyright Act, not a discretionary gift.
“The Levy has existed within Nigeria’s copyright legal architecture since 1988 but was largely unimplemented until this administration activated it,” he added.
Okafor clarified that Copy Levies differ from routine copyright royalties, which arise from public performance, broadcast, reproduction, or other exploitation of copyrighted works.
Highlighting the focus on grassroots inclusion, Okafor encouraged musicians to register with MCSN as their Collective Management Organization (CMO). PMAN will compile verified entries from its national database to ensure a credible and auditable disbursement process for eligible performers.
PMAN Vice President, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara, echoed the call for registration, while rapper Vector urged Nigerian artists to actively engage with developments in the music industry.