Stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative economy have called for more protection of audiovisual performers’ rights and enhanced welfare measures to secure fair pay and long-term sustainability for artists.
The call was made at a Policy Engagement Roundtable that focused on ‘Audiovisual Performers’ Rights and Welfare in Nigeria and under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’.
The event was organised by My Intellectual Property Law Guide (MiPLG) in partnership with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) on Thursday in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein, said the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022 had significantly strengthened legal protection for performers.
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Asein was represented by Ms Lynda Alphaeus, the Zonal Director, NCC, Lagos Office
According to him, the Act recognises and protects performers’ rights in audiovisual works while addressing emerging challenges associated with digital exploitation and commercialisation of creative content.
“The audiovisual sector remains one of the most vibrant components of Nigeria’s creative economy, with performers playing a critical role in projecting Nigeria’s rich cultural identity to audiences within and beyond our borders.
“As Nigeria positions itself to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, discussions around performers’ rights and welfare become even more critical,” he said.
Asein noted that an integrated African market would provide enormous opportunities for performers, creators and rights holders, but would also require stronger frameworks for rights protection, fair remuneration and welfare support.
He urged stakeholders to use the platform to exchange ideas and contribute meaningfully to policies that would strengthen the creative ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.
Also speaking, an intellectual property expert, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, emphasised the need for performers to advocate stronger legal and welfare protections.
Sodipo said performers were often the faces recognised by audiences worldwide, yet many struggled financially in spite of their contributions to society and the economy.
Prof.Bankole, explained that copyright laws have evolved globally from focusing primarily on authors to recognising the importance of performers whose interpretations works to life.
“Performers have immense brand power and influence. Rights do not come automatically; stakeholders must engage policymakers and push for reforms that will improve their welfare and earnings,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collective management systems for the effective collection and equitable distribution of royalties to performers and other rights holders.
He also highlighted the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in reshaping rights management and royalty administration in the creative industry.
Sodipo expressed concern over the plight of some veteran performers who contributed significantly to society but later faced financial hardship.
He, however, said strengthening performers’ rights and welfare mechanisms would help ensure that creatives continue to benefit from their works during their lifetime and beyond.
Participants at the roundtable agreed that effective implementation of existing copyright laws, improved royalty administration and stronger social welfare systems were necessary to support Nigeria’s growing audiovisual industry.
They also called for more collaboration among government agencies, industry practitioners and policymakers to position Nigerian creatives to take advantage of opportunities under AfCFTA.
NAN
