By Benjamin Njoku

The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has announced that it will phase out its long standing general royalty distribution scheme beginning from next year.

In a circular dated 27th of November 2025 and signed by CEO Mayo Ayilaran, the Society explained that the current “general distribution”, where most members receive the same amount, will be replaced by a more precise, technology driven system.

MCSN noted that while the total royalties collected for the year ended 31 December 2023 fell short of projections-partly because many users have not responded to invoices – the membership base has grown significantly. The Society said it aims to move “from analogue and general distribution schemes to a more equitable, scientifically and technologically powered distribution exercise” in the near future.

Members are urged to register and upload their works on the MCSN platform via the website or by contacting the Membership department. The new “specific distribution” model will allocate royalties based on actual usage logs and reports from licensees, rather than the blanket payouts of the past.

MCSN’s shift marks a major change in how Nigerian music creators will be compensated, promising a fairer system that reflects real world usage of their works.