The United States is working to expand institutional funding and protect creative revenues in Nigeria’s music sector. The effort was discussed as the US Consulate General in Lagos, alongside key intellectual property (IP) regulatory bodies, held a three-day strategic framework workshop aimed at reinforcing IP protection across the creative value chain.
The initiative, titled “IP for Growth in Africa: Lagos Music Industry Workshop,” brought together over 120 IP policymakers, legal experts, music executives, producers, and creative industry stakeholders. Discussions focused on establishing robust IP enforcement and monetization structures designed to unlock cross-border investment and expand revenue generation for Nigerian creators and foreign partners.
Investment and commercial models
Speaking at the event, Brandon Hudspeth, US Consul General, said stronger legal protections are critical to mitigating risk and building investor confidence for foreign firms entering local joint ventures, licensing deals, and distribution networks.
“The United States sees Nigeria’s music industry not only as a powerful cultural force, but as a significant trade and investment opportunity,” Hudspeth stated. “Strong IP protection gives US investors greater confidence, gives creators greater control over their work, and creates the conditions for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic to invest, partner, and grow.”
Hudspeth highlighted existing commercial deals such as Universal Music Group’s partnership with Mavin Records and EMPIRE’s collaboration with YBNL as viable blueprints for cross-border scale. He also cited major global platforms including Sony, Warner Music Group, YouTube, Meta, and Apple Music as companies that continue to leverage these structures to drive global distribution, job creation, and export earnings for Nigeria’s economy.
Policymakers and structural bottlenecks
The initiative was organized in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the US Mission in Geneva, and alumni of the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP). It runs alongside the Recording Academy, which provided a platform for industry regulators and private sector leaders to map out practical legal solutions.
Key policymakers in attendance included:
- Obi Asika, director general of Nigeria’s National Council for Arts and Culture
- John Asein, PhD, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission
- Tobi Moody, director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Country Office
- Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment
Panel sessions focused on resolving key structural bottlenecks in the local market, including:
- copyright ownership clarity
- collective management and royalty administration systems
- statutory licensing
- contract enforcement
- streaming monetization
- international publishing rights
