Okafor made the appeal during a media parley at the PMAN headquarters in Lagos, emphasizing that the initiative is designed to ensure that the benefits of the levy reach all creators across Nigeria, regardless of their location.
Levy Activation Seen as Landmark for Creative Industry
The PMAN president expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the political will and administrative clarity that led to the release of the first tranche of the Copyright Levy under Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022. He also thanked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Director-General of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, and Mayowa Ayilaran, CEO of MCSN, for their roles in the process.
Okafor described the levy framework as a pivotal step in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, noting that it positions the creative industry as a contributor to national productivity, employment, exports, and sustainable prosperity.
“This is not merely a policy announcement; it signals Nigeria’s readiness to move the creative economy from sentiment to structure—from applause to accountability,” he stated.
Clarifying the Nature of the Copyright Levy
Okafor further explained that the Copyright Levy is not a discretionary gift or private arrangement but a statutory mechanism provided for under Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2020. He noted that while the concept has existed in Nigeria’s copyright framework since 1988, it was largely unimplemented until the current administration took decisive steps to activate it.
He also stressed that the Copy Levy is distinct from routine copyright royalties, which typically arise from public performance, broadcast, reproduction, or other forms of exploitation managed through authorized structures.
Grassroots Inclusion and Verification Process
Okafor reiterated that the levy funds are intended to reach grassroots musicians and every Nigerian creator. He encouraged musicians to register with MCSN as their Collective Management Organization (CMO). PMAN will then compile verified entries from its national database and provide them to MCSN to support a credible and auditable disbursement process.
The PMAN vice president, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara, also urged musicians to register, while rapper Vector called on artists to take a more active interest in developments within the industry.
Okafor’s call is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of copyright levy funds, and a reminder that the long-awaited levy framework is now in motion.