Entertainment Law In Nigeria: Pioneers

By: Yusuf Lanleyin

As the Nigerian entertainment industry continues to rise on the global stage, the role of entertainment law becomes increasingly critical. From the booming Nollywood film industry to the global success of Afrobeats, there is an ever-growing need for legal frameworks that can protect and guide the creative works of Nigeria’s talented artists. While the industry’s growth presents opportunities, it also brings challenges that require legal expertise to navigate. A new generation of pioneers is stepping up to meet these challenges, paving the way for an exciting future in Nigerian entertainment law.
The Landscape of Entertainment Law in Nigeria
Nigeria’s entertainment sector, encompassing music, film, digital content, and more, is thriving and dynamic. Yet, despite its rapid growth, the legal infrastructure to support this expansion remains underdeveloped. In this environment, pioneers such as Bobo F. Ajudua, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, and the late Efere Ozako have emerged as key figures who have worked to shape and strengthen the legal frameworks surrounding Nigerian entertainment.

Nigeria’s entertainment industry is built on foundational areas like intellectual property (IP) rights, contract law, dispute resolution, taxation, and regulatory compliance. These elements form the backbone of the legal system, offering protection for the creative works that drive the industry. Pioneers in this field are instrumental in ensuring that these aspects evolve with the industry’s rapid growth.

Intellectual Property and Contract Negotiations: Protecting Creative Works
One of the most pressing challenges in Nigerian entertainment law is intellectual property (IP) protection. In a creative industry, securing rights to original works through copyrights and trademarks is essential to preventing exploitation and ensuring fair remuneration for creators. This is a key area where entertainment law pioneers like Bobo F. Ajudua have made a significant impact.

Bobo F. Ajudua was born on the 30 July 1990 in Lagos. He is also known as the Jiggy Lawyer is an origin of Delta State.

He attended the American International School of Lagos and the British International School, he also attended Cambridge Center for Sixth-form Studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Essex, England in 2011 and the Nigerian Law School in 2012.
Ajudua’s work has focused on strengthening the IP framework, helping artistes safeguard their work under the Nigerian Copyright Act.

His efforts have included advising artistes on copyright infringement issues, and ensuring that their creative rights are recognized both within Nigeria and internationally. Moreover, his role in facilitating intellectual property protection, contract drafting and negotiations, dispute resolution, rights management, business and financial advice, regulatory compliance, employment and labor law, estate planning and legacy management, consultancy and education, and entertainment financing —ranging from music recording agreements to film production deals—has represented artistes such as; Davido, Chris Brown, Wande Coal, Lojay, Iyanya, TxC, Maryam Bukar Hassan, Dice Ailes, Minz, Peruzzi, Dremo, Mayorkun, and Zlatan to secure fair terms, ensuring their long-term success in the industry.

His remarkable negotiation abilities have led to significant brand partnerships, such as The Recording Academy’s collaboration with Martell and DMW’s alliance with United Masters. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in securing major endorsement deals with renowned brands like Martell, Puma, Hennessy, and 1xbet.

Similarly, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi who is also known as Foza born on the 16, February 1993 in Lagos, attended Babcock University (Bachelor of Laws) Nigerian Law School (Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation, Corporate law, Ethics) Quantic School of Business and Technology (Master of Business Administration) and she has been active in advocating for a better understanding of contract law, particularly concerning artists’ rights and obligations. Her contributions have helped shed light on the complexities of contract law, ensuring that artistes are not exploited or taken advantage of in the often opaque world of entertainment contracts.
Foza’s work has been pivotal in advising artistes like; Timaya, GoodGirl LA, Boomplay Music, Music Time!, Coldplay, Warner Music, and Teni the Entertainer on the intricacies of performance contracts, recording deals, and other legal agreements critical to the industry.

Dispute Resolution: Navigating Conflict Without Destroying Reputation

In any thriving industry, disputes are inevitable, and the entertainment sector is no exception.

Whether it’s a contractual disagreement, IP infringement case, or disputes over royalties, the ability to resolve these conflicts efficiently is crucial. This is where Efere Ozako stands out. Efere has contributed greatly to the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Nigerian entertainment law.

Born in 1967 in Delta State, Efere Ozako was a highly respected Nigerian entertainment lawyer who made significant contributions to the protection of artistes’ intellectual property rights. Throughout his career, he played a key role in helping Nigerian creatives navigate the complexities of copyright law, contract negotiations, and dispute resolution. Although he passed away in 2013, Ozako’s legacy continues to impact the Nigerian entertainment industry, with his advocacy for fair legal practices still resonating among artistes and industry stakeholders.

Taxation and Financial Management: Ensuring Sustainability

As the entertainment industry grows, so does the complexity of managing the financial aspects of an artiste’s career. Proper tax planning and financial management are critical for long-term sustainability. However, navigating the Nigerian tax system can be a daunting task for many artistes, who may not fully understand their tax obligations or the implications of their earnings.

Entertainment law pioneers like Ajudua and Efere have worked tirelessly to guide artistes in this area. Ajudua has focused on ensuring that artistes comply with tax laws, such as the Personal Income Tax Act and the Companies Income Tax Act, to avoid legal pitfalls. Efere, on the other hand, has been involved in advising artistes on structuring their earnings and securing proper financial representation, helping them maximize their wealth while remaining tax-compliant.

Regulatory Compliance: Navigating Governmental Oversight

A unique challenge in Nigerian entertainment law is the regulatory environment. From the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to the Nigerian Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), various agencies impose regulations that impact the content produced by Nigerian artistes. Understanding and complying with these regulations is essential for avoiding sanctions and ensuring that content is distributed without legal impediments.

Here, the work of pioneers like Ajudua and Fawehinmi has been invaluable. They help artistes understand the legal requirements set forth by regulatory bodies, guiding them in ensuring compliance with broadcasting and censorship laws. Their advice has helped artistes navigate complex approval processes, ensuring that their content reaches the intended audience without unnecessary delays or rejections.

The Future of Nigerian Entertainment Law
As the Nigerian entertainment industry continues to grow, the role of entertainment law will only become more prominent. The efforts of pioneers like Ajudua, and Efere have laid a strong foundation, but there is still much work to be done. The focus will likely shift towards further strengthening IP laws, promoting fair contract practices, and expanding the use of ADR methods in dispute resolution.

Moreover, as Nigerian artistes continue to gain international recognition, there will be a greater need for lawyers who understand both local and global legal frameworks. This presents opportunities for entertainment lawyers to develop niche expertise in areas such as international copyright law, global distribution rights, and cross-border negotiations.

Nigerian entertainment law is at a critical juncture, and the contributions of pioneers such as Bobo F. Ajudua, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, and Efere Ozako are shaping the future of the industry. By focusing on areas like intellectual property protection, fair contract negotiations, dispute resolution, taxation, and regulatory compliance, these pioneers are creating a legal landscape that supports and nurtures the creativity of Nigerian artistes. As the industry continues to flourish, their work will remain fundamental in safeguarding the interests of those who drive Nigeria’s cultural export.