Major Nigerian record labels have kicked against a plan by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to disburse music copyright levies to the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN).
According to a report by Pulse Nigeria, the opposition is being led by the umbrella body representing several leading Nigerian record labels – Record Label Proprietors Initiative Limited (ReLPI) – an industry group that includes Mavin Records, Chocolate City, and Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) among others.
According to the publication, ReLPI argues that the NCC’s decision to channel the levy solely through MCSN is flawed and does not reflect the structure of rights ownership in sound recordings. MCSN is recognised by the NCC as the only Collective Management Organization (CMO) allowed to license, monitor, and distribute royalties for Musical Works and Sound Recordings in Nigeria.
However, at At the centre of the dispute is the private copying levy, a statutory compensation meant to remunerate rights holders for unauthorised private copying of copyrighted works, such as music copied onto personal devices.
According to ReLPI, sound recording owners—primarily record labels—are major beneficiaries under the law but were not adequately consulted or represented in the proposed distribution framework. They maintained that Section 89(3) of the Copyright Act 2022 allows the NCC to disburse such levies not only to approved collective management organisations (CMOs) but also to other representatives of rights holders.
ReLPI formally raised concerns with the NCC, stressing that MCSN does not have the mandate to collect or distribute royalties on behalf of its members in a letter dated January 21, 2025.
The controversy has also drawn international attention, particularly from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents record labels worldwide. Pulse Nigeria reported that the body wrote to the NCC on January 22, 2026, urging transparency and fairness in the disbursement process.
IFPI emphasised that the portion of the levy attributable to sound recordings must be paid directly to legitimate rights holders or bodies with a clear and unequivocal mandate to represent them.
Despite these objections, the NCC has reportedly maintained its position, insisting that MCSN remains the only recognised CMO in the Nigerian music sector and will therefore receive the funds. ReLPI members claim they have been informed that the commission intends to proceed with the payment.
Business Post reports that this development has reignited broader debates about governance and transparency in Nigeria’s music copyright ecosystem.