Senior stakeholders across Nigeria’s music and copyright ecosystem met in Abuja on Tuesday in what may prove to be a defining moment for the future of collective management in the country.

The high-level meeting called by the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa in collaboration with the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN brought together representatives of the Record Label Proprietors’ Initiative Ltd/Gte (ReLPI), the Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN), the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).  The meeting was convened to address growing concerns around Nigeria’s collective management architecture, particularly as it affects the music industry.

Who Was at the Table

• The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy was led by the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musawa.
• The National Council for Arts and Culture was represented by its Director General, Mr. Obi Asika
• ReLPI was represented by a delegation led by Mr. Kizito Ahams, Chairman (Proxy) of ReLPI and Senior Licensing and Publishing Manager at Mavin Records.
• MPAN was led by its Chairman, Mr. Michael Odiong, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Premier Records.
• The Nigerian Copyright Commission was led by its Director-General, Dr. John Asein.

According to participants, the central objective of the meeting was to review, interrogate, and possibly restructure the entire collective management framework in Nigeria, with a focus on restoring confidence, transparency, and legitimacy.

Why the Meeting Matters

In recent months, Nigeria’s collective management system has come under intense public and industry scrutiny, following persistent allegations of:

• Opaque governance structures
• Lack of transparency in collections and distributions
• Weak accountability mechanisms
• Poor reporting to creators and rightsholders

These concerns have intensified following widespread media reports suggesting that billions of naira have been collected under the copyright levy scheme, raising urgent questions about custodianship, distribution, and beneficiary transparency.

The Unanswered Questions

Before the recent copyright levy revelations, the collective management space was already under pressure. Stakeholders have repeatedly called for clarity regarding a reported ₦2.75 billion payment made by MultiChoice, owners of DStv, to a music collective management organisation for copyright-related uses.

To date, several fundamental questions remain unanswered:

• How much has actually been collected from the copyright levy scheme?
• Which organisations or entities are in custody of these funds?
• Have creators and rightsholders been paid, and if so, who exactly has been paid?
• What distribution framework was applied, and was it approved by regulators?
• Why has there been no publicly accessible accounting or audit trail?

Over the past week alone, key industry stakeholders—labels, publishers, creators, and professionals—have openly voiced concerns, demanding clarity and transparency in a system that is meant to serve them.

Spotlight on Collective Management Organisations

While no organisation was formally indicted, attention has inevitably focused on the NCC-approved music CMO, which has been the subject of sustained criticism over its governance practices and operational transparency.

Industry observers note that the controversy surrounding the organisation predates the copyright levy issue, and that the present moment represents a culmination of long-standing grievances, not a sudden eruption.

A System at a Crossroads

The Abuja meeting is widely viewed as an acknowledgement by government and regulators that the status quo is no longer sustainable.

Stakeholders at the meeting reportedly agreed that:

• Collective management must serve creators and rightsholders first
• Transparency and accountability are not optional
• Any copyright levy regime must be accompanied by clear governance, audited reporting, and direct benefit to creators

While no official resolutions were announced immediately after the meeting, participants confirmed that further consultations, policy actions, and possible regulatory reforms are expected in the coming weeks.

Why This Matters Beyond the Industry

At stake is more than internal industry politics. Nigeria’s creative economy is positioned as a major contributor to GDP growth, employment, and global cultural influence. A collective management system perceived as opaque or unaccountable risks:

• Undermining investor confidence
• Discouraging creators and rightsholders
• Weakening Nigeria’s international credibility in copyright administration

What Comes Next

As conversations continue behind closed doors, the public, creators, and rightsholders will be watching closely.

**The key question now is simple but profound:**Will this moment lead to genuine reform, or will the system retreat once public attention fades?

For many in the music industry, the Abuja meeting represents not just a dialogue, but a test of political will.