The full Board of Nigeria’s biggest copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), met this Tuesday, August, 25, 2026, at the Boardroom of the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja, and took several important decisions ensuring that COSON continues to soar. Every member of the 12- man Board attended the meeting.
One of the major decisions taken by the Board was that it should be made very clear to organizations and individuals who require licences to deploy music in a public or commercial setting in Nigeria, that despite the vexatious and purported approval of Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN), and the bizarre overnight withdrawal of the seven different criminal cases against MCSN fraudulently concocted by erstwhile Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, MCSN has no legal right to license or collect any money with respect to any of the thousands of musical works assigned to COSON by their copyright owners.
The information and clarification are directed at the general public, particularly, broadcasting organizations, hotels, restaurants, night clubs, event venues, banks, advertising agencies, supermarkets, disc-jockeys and any other organization or individual who needs a licence to deploy music in a public or commercial setting.
It should be noted that as required by law, COSON has long informed MCSN in writing that its thousands of members have opted out of any extended licensing scheme involving MCSN. Therefore, any organization or person approached by MCSN for a copyright licence, should demand evidence of the written copyright assignment to MCSN, to avoid legal action from COSON for the use of works the license of which was not authorized.
The Board also decided that the public be reminded that the legality of the Malami contrived “approval” of MCSN as a CMO, is still being challenged in court.
Once again, after reviewing reports of the activities of the strong team of lawyers defending the interest of COSON, its officers and members in various courts across the country, the Board resolved to openly commend those lawyers whose diligence has led to the unprecedented victories of COSON in the courts which victories have resulted in the sustained survival and non-stop growth of the organization in an environment of envy and covetousness.
The Board also resolved to send a warning to all those who are judgment debtors to COSON to pay up their debts or face the massive outrage of COSON, its members and lawyers.
The COSON Board meeting of August 25 was chaired by Chief Tony Okoroji, one of Africa’s most respected defenders of the rights of creative people and a celebrated former President of PMAN. Other persons who participated in the Board meeting include Afro Juju Maestro, Sir Shina Peters; Gospel music minister, Kenny Saint Brown; Ace-drummer and producer, Richard Ayodele Cole; Reggae gospel star, Righteousman Erhabor; Producer and TV host, Nimyel Nansel, better known as Zdon Paporella; Vivacious performer and first daughter of the legendry Ras Kimono, Oge Kimono Onwubuya, and well-known Enugu based music toaster and publisher, Sir Angus Power Nwangwu.
More participants at the COSON Board meeting include Abuja based music publisher and war horse of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN), Chief Uche Emeka Paul; Gospel Music Minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi; National President of Music Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), Engr Sharon Esco Wilson; Showbiz Impresario, Koffi Idowu Nuel, also known as Koffi Da Guru, the Copyright specialist and General Manager of COSON, Mr Vincent Adawaisi and COSON’s Legal Officer, Ms. Janet Omoke.
