A new era for copyright management: inside Nigeria's 2025 collective management regulations.

Introduction

As copyright industries continue to evolve in the digital age, effective rights management has become more critical than ever. In response, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (“the Commission” or “the NCC”) has introduced the Collective Management Regulations, 2025, issued pursuant to the Copyright Act, 2022, to strengthen the governance of collective rights administration in Nigeria. This marks a significant regulatory shift, as the new Regulations repeal and replace the long-standing Copyright (Collective Management Organisation) Regulations, 2007, which guided the operations of CMOs for nearly two decades.

The Regulations establish clear goals, codify the status and functions of Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), and strengthen their internal governance structures. It also enhances members' rights and obligations, while granting the Nigerian Copyright Commission expanded supervisory powers. This article provides an overview of CMOs and their role in copyright administration, outlines the accreditation process under the new Regulations, examines key changes from the 2007 framework, and highlights opportunities for CMOs under the updated regulatory regime.

What are collective management organisations?

The concept of Collective Management Organisations is not new; it began in 1851, when the first CMO was established in France.[1] The model has since been adopted in various jurisdictions around the world and established in the Nigerian copyright system under the Copyright (Collective Management Organization) Regulations, 2007.

Collective Management Organisations, or CMOs as they are commonly known, are organisations that represent copyright owners with the primary aim of negotiating and granting licenses and collecting and distributing royalties for copyright works[2]. CMOs in Nigeria are governed by the NCC under the Nigerian Copyright Act, specifically Section 88, which makes provision for the establishment, approval, and operational Regulations of CMOs.

Currently, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has licensed three collecting societies to administer and collect royalties on behalf of their members. These are the Audio-Visual Rights Society (AVRS), which represents rights in cinematograph films; the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), responsible for musical works and sound recordings; and the Reproduction Rights Organisation of Nigeria (REPRONIG), which serves the literary and publishing sectors.

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[1] The concept of Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) dates back to 1851, when the first CMO was established in France following a lawsuit brought by Paul Henrion, Victor Parizot, and Ernest Bourget—with the support of their publisher—against a café-concert in Paris. See Desmond Osaretin Oriakhogba, “Collective Management of Copyright in Nigeria: Should it Remain Voluntary, May it Be Mandatory or Extended?” (Available at (PDF) Collective Management of Copyright in Nigeria: Should it Remain Voluntary, may it Be Mandatory or Extended? ) Accessed 20 May 2025.

[2] According to Section 88 of the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022, a “Collective Management Organisation” is defined as an organisation representing copyright owners, whose principal objectives include the negotiation and grant of licences, as well as the collection and distribution of royalties in respect of copyright works.

These reforms are expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria's capital markets, broadening their scope and attracting foreign and domestic investment.