Musical Copyright Society Nigeria appoints new board members

Founded in 1984, MSCN is an incorporated collective association of authors, composers, arrangers and music publishers mandated with managing and protecting the intellectual property rights of its members and affiliates, as well as handling the collection and distribution of fees and other economic benefits to them.

The development follows their recent approval by the MCSN’s general council. It also comes three months after the renewal of the collective management organisation’s operating license by the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

“The nomination and appointment of Matthew Ohio was based on his vast interests and representations in the music industry upon which MCSN would leverage to increase the quality and quantity of its membership and huge repertoire,” a statement said.

Neji and Gangali’s selection is the result of an agreement between MCSN and the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), which reserves PMAN two seats on the MCSN board.

“I feel grateful and honoured to be appointed as a director of the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria,” Ohio said. “I intend on carrying out my duties in the interest of the music industry and its practitioners at large while applying my knowledge and resources to bring value to the MCSN.”

On his part, Neji promised to “do my best to add value to MCSN and indeed the industry at large.”

Gangali said his appointment would see him better support MCSN’s aim “to become the best collective management organisation in Africa and one of the best in the world.”

MCSN CEO Mayo Ayilaran noted that the appointments signified the inclusion of more hands to continue building structures for the music industry while strengthening the capacity of the management of copyright in Nigeria.

PMAN president Pretty Okafor said the move was “a great sign and proof that the partnership between MCSN and PMAN is no fluke, as it would turn the music industry around for good.”