PMAN teams up with NCC against piracy

The president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Pretty Okafor, has decried the nefarious activities of pirates and disparity in the royalty distribution system in the Nigerian music industry.

Okafor voiced his lamentation when he led some members of PMAN executives on a courtesy visit to the Director General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. John O. Asein in Abuja recently.

Highlighting the plight of musicians and other right owners during the visit, the PMAN president bemoaned the current situation whereby hardworking young musicians go home with only 0.05 per cent of the total revenue generated from the use of their musical works, while the companies that provide the distribution platforms take 95.5 per cent of the gross revenue. 

“The Nigerian music industry is bleeding from the unfair system that leaves the hardworking young musicians with only 0.05% of the total revenue generated from the use of their musical works, while the major companies that provide the distribution platforms take 95.5% of the gross revenue,” Okafor lamented. 

In his response, Asein commended the timeliness of PMAN in raising the issues and promised that the Commission will work very closely with the association and all music industry stakeholders across the board to address and proffer sustainable solutions to the problems.

“I commend your timeliness in raising these issues. I promise that the Commission will work very closely with PMAN and all music industry stakeholders to proffer sustainable solutions to the problems,” the DG said.