Music Publishers Association of Nigeria calls for COSON suspension reversal

The decision by the NCC prevented the copyright body from collecting royalties on behalf of artists in the country and was put in place after COSON declined a directive asking it to organise another election following the leadership claims of two persons, Efe Omorogbe and Tony Okoroji.

A group has now asked for the suspension to be reversed even as the tussle for COSON leadership remains unresolved. The NCC has now been asked by the Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN) to reconsider its position in a recent statement signed by the board of trustees’ chairman, Olumide Mustapha along with its secretary, Isioma Idigbe.

“MPAN recognises that the NCC’s actions regarding COSON are well intended especially in light of the fact that the NCC under the impressive leadership of Mr Afam Ezekude has been one of the biggest contributors to the significant positive developments of copyright administration in Nigeria.

“However, we believe that the NCC can achieve its objective – of ensuring rights owners and creators are well represented by their designated CMO – without adversely affecting COSON’s members who are feeling the heat of NCC’s decision to suspend COSON’s license.”

Other parties to have waded into the COSON dispute include Audu Maikori, 2Baba and Victor Uwaifo. A group within COSON itself demanded that Okoroji's actions as head of the body since its creation be probed.

None of the interventions so far has proven effective at resolving the issues dogging Nigeria’s most well-known collecting organisation, which has been in the news more for the conflict than for paying out royalties over the past few months.

MPAN's statement added that: “The continued suspension has created uncertainty about the stability of music business in Nigeria, and is ultimately driving away much needed foreign and local investment in the music industry as funding plans literally have to be put on hold pending the resolution of this matter.

“MPAN thus firmly but respectfully calls for the NCC to not throw away the baby with the bathwater and lift the suspension of COSON’s licence without further delay as MPAN, investors and thousands of helpless copyright owners across Nigeria and beyond continue to suffer otherwise.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission is yet to respond.