Major Blow to Digital Piracy as NCC Takes Down Illegal Music Sites
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has delivered a significant blow to online piracy by securing the suspension of several .ng domain names involved in large-scale unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content. This enforcement action, carried out on November 21, 2025, targets websites that were illegally sharing music and other creative works without proper licensing.
Targeted Domains and Enforcement Details
The suspended domains, which have now been taken offline through their respective registrars, include some of the most notorious piracy platforms operating under the .ng domain space. The affected websites are:
- val9ja.com.ng
- tunesloaded.com.ng
- voxnaija.com.ng
- music.360media.com.ng
- medianub.com.ng
- naijalevels.com.ng
- mp3juice.com.ng
According to the Commission's Special Taskforce against Online Piracy (STOP), these websites were confirmed to be engaging in blatant copyright infringement by illegally distributing unlicensed music and audiovisual works belonging to both Nigerian and international rights holders.
Collaborative Effort Against Digital Piracy
The enforcement action followed a formal request by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and was executed in close collaboration with the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA). This partnership demonstrates the growing coordination between regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders in combating digital piracy.
In an official statement, the NCC emphasized that this intervention is part of its ongoing enforcement program under the Copyright Act, 2022, which empowers the Commission to safeguard creators' rights and investigate online copyright violations across various digital platforms.
The Commission stated: "This intervention is part of the NCC's robust and ongoing enforcement programme under the Copyright Act, 2022, which empowers the Commission to safeguard creators' rights and to investigate and curb all forms of online copyright violations across websites, streaming platforms, and other digital distribution channels."
Strengthening Nigeria's Digital Creative Economy
Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the NCC, reaffirmed the Commission's determination to intensify its online enforcement operations. He stated that the recent suspensions send a strong signal that Nigeria will not tolerate digital piracy and remains committed to protecting the rights of creators and investors.
Dr. Asein expressed gratitude to NiRA and the concerned registrars for their cooperation, while assuring rights holders that the Commission will continue to strengthen its anti-piracy strategies in collaboration with both national and international partners.
The Director-General also made a public appeal, encouraging citizens to report suspicious platforms or online activities to the Commission through the dedicated portal: stop.copyright.gov.ng.
This latest action follows the Commission's recent success in suspending MovieBox.ng, another prominent platform known for streaming pirated movies, music, and live sports content. The consistent enforcement actions demonstrate the NCC's renewed campaign against online piracy and its commitment to creating a safe, lawful digital environment for Nigeria's growing creative economy.
