The Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), in collaboration with NCC, WIPO, CISAC and MCSN successfully hosted the Colloquium on Copyright Licensing for Public Performance on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the UBEC Digital Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2025 Africa Copyright and Collective Management Day.
The Colloquium brought together regulators, rights holders, industry stakeholders, tourism operators, and members of the creative community to engage in a robust discussion on how copyright compliance can be repositioned as a strategic investment in business sustainability.
The event opened with a welcome address by the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), who emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government, creative industry operators, and collective management organisations to ensure effective licensing practices in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote, cultural advocate and media entrepreneur Chief Obi Asika stressed the centrality of music to business growth:
“Music is not free — it’s fair trade. We are connected and cannot be separated. Music contributes directly to your business success, and it is time for fair comCpensation, as happens everywhere else in the world. Licensing is never expensive — it’s about getting everyone into the net so the system works for all.”
Hospitality and legal expert Chief Samuel Alabi highlighted challenges and solutions in copyright compliance:
“It is rather unfortunate that many prospective licensees are still dilly-dallying with compliance. Such practices only lead to prohibitive tariffs and litigation costs. The best approach is to negotiate collectively with the CMO and arrive at a win-win tariff. Relying on connections or dropping names may work briefly, but eventually all accumulated fees will have to be paid.”
Special remarks were also delivered by Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman of AVRS; Pupa Oritz Wiliki, Chairman of MCSN; Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB); and Mr. Richard Esewhaye Ovie, Acting Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA). The international dimension was underscored by the participation of Dr. Moody Oluwatobiloba, Director at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The hospitality and tourism industry was represented by Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, President of the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), and Dr. Aliyu Badaki, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).
From the Nollywood community, leading actors including Monalisa Chinda, Ejike Asiegbu, Makama Sani Muazu and Francis Duru lent their voices to the discussions, underscoring the importance of copyright compliance for the sustainability of Nigeria’s film and creative industries.
The Colloquium also featured two technical workshop sessions facilitated by intellectual property experts, Barrister Michael O. Akpan and Dr. Chinedu A. Chukwuji, who delivered practical insights on compliance and its business benefits.
In recognition of their immense contributions to advancing public performance compliance culture in Nigeria, plaques of appreciation were presented to the keynote and guest speakers, as well as to the workshop facilitators.
At the close of deliberations, participants unanimously agreed that copyright compliance is not a cost to be endured, but an investment in continuity, trust, and long-term business sustainability. It was resolved that operators, CMOs, and regulators must work hand in hand to protect creativity, grow the economy, and strengthen Nigeria’s place in the global creative marketplace. Operators further committed to working more closely with rightsholders and CMOs to ensure transparent and effective licensing going forward.
The colloquium was jointly moderated by Mr. Kunle Olatunji, Assistant Director at the NCC, and Dr. Chinedu A. Chukwuji.
