AN APPRAISAL OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AFRO-NIGERIAN MUSIC AND COPYRIGHT LAW

• Hafsat Iyabo Sa'adu

  University of Ilorin

  Author

• Abegunde Ayanfeoluwa Toluwani

  Nigerian Law School

  Author

• Rosemary Kanoel

  Uganda Pentecostal University

  Author

There is much scholarship in recent years on how traditional music helps in preserving the Nigeria's cultural identity. However, the protection of these musical expressions under copyright law faces challenges. These include inadequate legal frameworks that do not fully align with international standard, weak institutional capacity, limited awareness and education on intellectual property rights, pervasive counterfeiting and piracy, an efficient judicial system, challenges in cross-border enforcement, the impact of emerging technologies, corruption, and administrative and regulatory inefficiencies. Against this background, this paper aims to evaluate the existing copyright protection mechanisms for traditional Nigerian music, identify the key challenges impeding effective protection, and propose actionable recommendations to enhance the legal and institutional frameworks to safeguard these cultural assets. This paper employs a doctrinal research approach focusing on library-based information gathered from both primary and secondary sources including relevant laws, international conventions and legal statutes and internet sources pertaining to copyright protection. The paper finds that the legal framework for copyright protection in Nigeria, while improved by recent legislative reforms, remains inadequate. To address these challenges, the paper recommends continuous review and amendments to existing copyright laws in Nigeria and aligning with international best practices

• HafsatToluwani Rosemary article

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