Practical Dimensions of Intellectual Property Licensing Agreements in Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry

Nigeria's entertainment industry, spanning music, film, and digital content creation, generates significant economic value yet remains vulnerable to inadequate intellectual property licensing practices that deprive creators of rightful income. This study examines the practical dimensions of intellectual property licensing agreements in Nigeria's entertainment sector, with a focus on Lagos-based Nollywood producers, Afrobeats musicians, and digital content creators. Using a professional research design, the study analyses 50 licensing agreements from 2020 to 2024 and conducts interviews with 30 entertainment lawyers, 20 creators, and 10 licensing executives. The research evaluates the commercial terms of licensing agreements, identifies commonly disputed clauses, and assesses the adequacy of Nigeria's Copyright Act 2022 in providing a stable legal environment for rights licensing. Findings reveal that most creators sign licensing agreements without independent legal advice, that royalty accounting provisions are frequently inadequate or manipulated, and that the absence of standardised licensing templates creates significant transactional uncertainty. The study further examines the emerging digital licensing challenges posed by streaming platforms' standard global terms, which often displace Nigerian law. Recommendations include the development of industry-standard licensing templates, mandatory disclosure requirements, the establishment of a centralised entertainment rights registry, and capacity-building for creators on intellectual property management. Keywords: intellectual property licensing, entertainment industry, copyright, Nollywood, Afrobeats