Music Copyright Administration in Nigeria: An Evaluation of the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s Effectiveness

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Nigerian Copyright Commission in administering music copyright protections and enforcing intellectual property rights for Nigerian musicians. The music industry in Nigeria generates substantial revenue through recordings, performances, streaming, and synchronisation licensing; however, rampant piracy, inadequate royalty collection, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to deprive artists of rightful earnings. This research investigates the operational structures of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, its enforcement activities, artist registration rates, and the experiences of musicians across multiple genres regarding copyright protection. A mixed-methods design is employed, combining document analysis of NCC annual reports and policy frameworks with semi-structured interviews involving 20 professional musicians drawn from Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, and 10 NCC officials and music industry stakeholders. The study draws on intellectual property law, music industry studies, and recent literature on copyright enforcement in developing economies. Findings are expected to reveal systemic gaps in copyright administration, including inadequate public awareness, limited geographic reach, and insufficient collaboration with digital platforms. Recommendations will address policy reform, digital rights management, and the capacity building needs of the NCC. Keywords: Music copyright, Nigerian Copyright Commission, intellectual property, royalties, music industry.