The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has called for deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to address pressing issues related to rights management in Nigeria’s broadcast sector.
This appeal was made during a courtesy visit by Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, Executive Secretary of BON, to the NCC headquarters in Abuja.
Welcomed by Mr. Collins Nweke, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), who represented the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Bamgbose expressed appreciation for the NCC’s swift response concerning the status of the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), a licensed Collective Management Organisation (CMO) authorized to collect royalties on behalf of rights holders in musical works, sound recordings, and audio-visual content.
Dr. Bamgbose stressed the urgent need for enhanced cooperation between BON and the NCC, particularly in strengthening relationships between broadcast stations and collecting societies such as MCSN.
She pointed out the economic challenges currently faced by broadcast stations and underscored the importance of negotiating more favourable licensing terms. While the existing 2018 agreement with MCSN is due for review, she assured that the NCC would be kept informed on progress and areas requiring further regulatory support.
She also emphasized the critical role of education for broadcast stations, especially regarding the functions of collecting societies and broadcast stations’ obligations in royalty compliance.
In his response, Mr. Nweke reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships within the copyright ecosystem. He welcomed BON’s proactive engagement with MCSN and expressed optimism that future agreements would reflect the interests of all stakeholders while promoting compliance and sustainability.
Deputy Director and Head of Regulatory and Compliance, NCC, Mr. Kunle Olatunji echoed the need for increased engagement with BON and the broader broadcasting community.
He raised concerns over the unauthorized online use of broadcast content and emphasized the Commission’s interest in regulating the rapidly expanding digital broadcasting space, including online radio stations. According to Mr. Olatunji, establishing robust intellectual property guidelines for online broadcast stations is now a critical necessity.
Both parties reiterated a shared vision for a thriving, profitable broadcast industry in Nigeria, with emphasis on protecting intellectual property rights and fostering sustainable practices within the sector.
Dr. Bamgbose was accompanied by Mr. Usman Umar Bello, Director of Administration at BON.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) is a coalition of public and private broadcasters, serving as the umbrella body for terrestrial radio and television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), and Multimedia Distribution System (MMDS) platforms across Nigeria.
