The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to disc jockeys (DJs) across the country to cease performing music publicly without proper authorization or licenses. The commission has made it clear that failure to comply could lead to prosecution, with offenders facing fines of at least N1 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, revealed the crackdown in an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja. The move comes after concerns that many DJs have been playing copyrighted music in public venues without securing the necessary permissions from rights holders or their authorized representatives. “Under the Copyright Act of 2022, only the copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, perform, or communicate their musical works to the public,” Dr. Asein explained. “Any public performance without authorization is a violation of the law and may attract serious penalties.” The NCC highlighted that public performances by DJs, whether at hotels, clubs, event centers, gardens, or recreational facilities, count as both public performances and communication to the public under the law. This means DJs must obtain licenses and pay royalties before playing music in such settings. To help DJs comply, the NCC pointed to the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), the approved Collective Management Organisation responsible for managing musical copyrights in Nigeria. The Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN) has partnered with MCSN through a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate royalty payments on behalf of DJs nationwide. Dr. Asein urged all DJs to work with DJAN and MCSN to ensure they are properly licensed. “The commission will not hesitate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute any DJ found violating copyright laws,” he warned. This forms part of the NCC’s broader efforts to protect intellectual property rights and support the creative industry in Nigeria.
Netflix raises subscription prices in Nigeria for third time since 2024
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria once again, marking the third price hike in less than a year. The latest adjustment, effective June 2025, sees the Premium plan rise to ₦8,500 per month from ₦7,000, while the Standard plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500. The Basic and Mobile plans have also gone up to ₦4,000 and ₦2,500 respectively, reflecting increases of roughly 13 to 21 percent across all tiers. This price rise comes amid ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, including inflation and currency depreciation, which have also impacted telecom providers and other streaming services. Earlier in 2025, MultiChoice raised prices for its DStv and GOtv packages by up to 25 percent, signaling a broader trend of increased costs in the entertainment sector. Netflix has yet to issue an official statement explaining the latest price hike. However, industry analysts suggest these adjustments are part of the company’s efforts to sustain content investment and improve service quality despite economic headwinds. Subscribers in Nigeria are now facing higher monthly costs to access Netflix’s growing library of films and series, making affordability a growing concern for many users. This development highlights the ongoing tension between rising operational costs for streaming platforms and the financial pressures on consumers in Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.
‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ opens strong with N123 million in Nigerian box office
The much-anticipated eighth installment of the iconic Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, has made a remarkable debut in Nigerian cinemas, grossing N123 million in its opening week, according to data from the Cinema Association of Nigeria. This impressive figure surpasses the opening week earnings of the previous film, Dead Reckoning Part One, which recorded N87 million in July 2023 and enjoyed steady attendance over a five-week run. The latest chapter continues the high-stakes adventures of Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, as he and his team confront a rogue artificial intelligence threatening global catastrophe. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and co-written with Erik Jendresen, The Final Reckoning was filmed across multiple international locations including England, Malta, South Africa, and Norway. Despite production delays caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the film wrapped in late 2024 with a production budget estimated between $300 and $400 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever produced. The film features a star-studded cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Henry Czerny, and Angela Bassett. The storyline picks up two months after the events of Dead Reckoning Part One, with Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Mission Force racing against time to prevent a nuclear apocalypse orchestrated by a rogue AI known as the Entity. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s strong Nigerian debut underscores the growing appetite for blockbuster Hollywood films in the local market and highlights the increasing demand for premium cinematic experiences across the country. Globally, the film has also performed well, with a world premiere in Tokyo on May 5, a screening at Cannes Film Festival on May 14, and a U.S. release on May 23, where it earned $63 million over the traditional weekend and $77 million during the extended Memorial Day holiday. The global box office has surpassed $222 million, making it one of the top-grossing films of 2025. As the film continues its run in Nigerian theaters, industry watchers expect it to maintain strong momentum, further cementing the Mission: Impossible franchise’s enduring popularity both locally and internationally.
Muyiwa Ademola’s Ori: The Rebirth rakes in over N262 million in three weeks
Nollywood’s latest cultural hit, Ori: The Rebirth, has grossed N262.7 million in just 21 days, signaling a strong appetite for indigenous storytelling among Nigerian cinema-goers. Ori: The Rebirth, the much-anticipated Yoruba-language film from veteran Nollywood actor and director Muyiwa Ademola, has made a remarkable box office debut, earning N262.7 million within its first three weeks in cinemas across Nigeria. The film, which opened nationwide on May 1, added N40 million over the weekend of May 16–18, bringing its cumulative total to N269 million, according to data from the Nigerian box office. The movie’s opening weekend was particularly impressive, pulling in N97.8 million, one of the highest debuts for a Nigerian film this year. On its first day alone, Ori: The Rebirth grossed N19.5 million, reflecting strong audience interest in films rooted in local culture and tradition. Directed and co-produced by Ademola, alongside Adekola Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami, the film marks a significant return for the filmmaker. Ademola’s original Ori won Best Indigenous Film at the inaugural Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2005. Speaking about the new project, Ademola revealed he invested over N400 million in the production, calling it a high-stakes personal endeavor. The story follows Bisade, whose untimely death is orchestrated by Yeye Fernandez and her secret cult. As Temidun is tasked with saving a man marked for ritual sacrifice, Bisade finds himself stranded between realms, embarking on a metaphysical journey to confront his destiny. The film weaves themes of fate, spirituality, and sacrifice, drawing deeply from Yoruba cosmology and exploring the tension between predestination and free will. Ademola, 52, is no stranger to the industry. With a career spanning more than three decades, he began acting in the early 1990s and has since become known for merging moral introspection with engaging narratives. Despite a near-fatal car accident in 2013, Ademola has remained a consistent force in Nollywood, continuing to champion indigenous storytelling. “Ori: The Rebirth explores destiny, sacrifice, and identity, familiar ground for Ademola, whose films often use traditional narratives to examine universal human struggles,” said a spokesperson for the production. Industry analysts say that the strong box office performance of Ori: The Rebirth highlights a growing demand for films that combine cultural authenticity with modern production values.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts hits N184.2 million at Nigerian box office
Marvel Studios’ latest release, Thunderbolts, has grossed an impressive N184.2 million in Nigerian cinemas, solidifying its place as one of the top Hollywood performers in the country this year. The film earned N24.1 million over the weekend of May 16–18 alone, demonstrating strong and sustained interest from local audiences. Since its global premiere on April 22, 2025, and U.S. release on May 2, Thunderbolts has attracted both Marvel fans and general moviegoers with its action-packed storyline and ensemble cast. Directed by Jake Schreier, the movie features a team of morally complex antiheroes, including characters played by Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The plot revolves around these operatives working under a secret government directive, only to uncover a dangerous conspiracy. The film’s closing scenes hint at the formation of “The New Avengers,” setting the stage for future Marvel narratives. Globally, Thunderbolts has earned $326.3 million, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2025 so far. It debuted with $74 million in the U.S. and $86.1 million internationally during its opening weekend. In Nigeria, Thunderbolts faces competition from local hits like Ori: The Rebirth, which has grossed over N269 million in three weeks. This highlights a growing diversity in the Nigerian box office, where both international blockbusters and indigenous films thrive.
Hollywood’s “Sinners” hits ₦567 million at Nigerian box office, dominates for four weeks
Hollywood’s latest horror-musical drama, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, has become a blockbuster hit in Nigerian cinemas, grossing over ₦567 million after just four weeks on screens. The film has maintained its position as the top-grossing movie in the country for a full month, according to the Nigerian Box Office data as of May 11, 2025. Premiering on April 18, Sinners opened strongly with ₦79.6 million in its first weekend, far surpassing typical openings for original horror films in the Nigerian market. The movie tells the story of twin brothers, Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore, World War I veterans who return to their hometown in Mississippi during the Great Depression. Their dream of creating a safe space for the Black community through a juke joint is threatened by dark, supernatural forces. Coogler, acclaimed for Black Panther and Creed, takes a bold creative turn with Sinners, blending historical drama with horror and musical elements. The film’s haunting score, composed by longtime collaborator Ludwig Göransson, adds to its unique appeal. Despite its American setting, Sinners has resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences, likely fueled by Coogler’s reputation and Jordan’s widespread popularity across Africa. The film’s success highlights the growing appetite in Nigeria for diverse, high-quality international films that push genre boundaries. Globally, Sinners has also made waves, grossing $216 million in North America and becoming the highest-grossing original film domestically since Pixar’s Coco in 2017. Its strong performance in Nigeria contributes to a broader upswing in the country’s cinema industry, which saw box office revenues reach ₦1.29 billion in April alone.