COSON (Copyright Society of Nigeria) is Nigeria's approved collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings, representing over 5,406 members across the federation. Founded in 2010 and headquartered at COSON House in Ikeja, Lagos, it administers both performing and mechanical rights on behalf of songwriters, composers, publishers, and sound recording owners. It is best suited for Nigerian music creators who need a domestic society to license their works and collect royalties from radio, television, streaming, live venues, and commercial establishments.
How COSON Works
COSON licenses music users in Nigeria, including television and radio broadcasters, live music venues, retailers, restaurants, promoters, and shopping centres. It collects license fees from these users and distributes them as royalties to members based on usage reports and monitoring data.
The organisation distributes royalties annually at its Annual General Meeting. In December 2024, COSON distributed N465.5 million to its members, the highest amount in its history and a 123% increase from 2023. Members received bank alerts during the AGM itself, with payments beginning immediately after approval. The 14th AGM was held at COSON House in Lagos.
COSON is led by Chairman Tony Okoroji and General Manager Bernice Eriemeghe Ashibuogwu. The organisation has faced significant legal and regulatory challenges. In February 2026, COSON publicly called on the federal government to dismantle what it described as a fraudulent scheme imposed on the Nigerian music industry by the immediate past Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami. COSON has litigated extensively to protect its operating authority, retaining four senior advocates and multiple lawyers.
Membership is open to songwriters, composers, publishers, and sound recording owners. COSON also licenses music users and provides educational resources on copyright compliance.
Real-World Example
A Nigerian Afrobeats songwriter registers 20 songs with COSON. A Lagos radio station plays 8 of those songs regularly, a streaming platform reports 500,000 streams, and three venues in Abuja hold blanket licenses covering live performances. COSON collects royalties from all three sources.
At the annual distribution, the songwriter receives a proportional share based on the radio airplay logs, streaming usage data, and venue license fees. If the same songs are played on radio in Ghana, COSON's reciprocal agreements with international societies mean the Ghanaian society collects those royalties and remits them to COSON, which then pays the songwriter.
Based on the 2024 distribution of N465.5 million across 5,406 members, the average member received approximately N86,000. However, distributions are not equal. Top-earning members with heavy radio rotation and streaming numbers receive significantly more than those with limited airplay.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
COSON distributes royalties annually, not quarterly or monthly like many larger PROs. This means members wait up to a year between distributions. If you need regular cash flow from performance royalties, this schedule may not work for you.
The organisation has been embroiled in prolonged legal battles with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and other entities. While COSON has won many of these cases, the disputes have at times disrupted operations and delayed distributions. In 2023, COSON resumed royalty distributions after a period of interruption.
Nigeria's music market has significant licensing compliance challenges. Many businesses do not pay for music licenses, which reduces the royalty pool. COSON has acknowledged this issue publicly and continues to pursue enforcement.
The average annual distribution per member (approximately N86,000, or roughly $55 USD) is modest compared to what members of ASCAP, BMI, or PRS typically receive. This reflects the size of the Nigerian licensing market and compliance levels.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a Nigerian songwriter, composer, or publisher, COSON is the primary domestic society for collecting performance and mechanical royalties. Without COSON membership, you would need to individually license every radio station, venue, and streaming platform that plays your music, which is not practical.
Register every composition with COSON as soon as it is commercially released. Include correct split shares, ISRC codes, and publisher information so your works can be matched to usage data. Unregistered works earn zero royalties.
If your music is played internationally, COSON's reciprocal agreements with foreign societies mean those royalties can be collected on your behalf. However, international collections may take longer to process due to reporting cycles.
For non-Nigerian artists whose music is played in Nigeria, your home PRO collects from COSON through reciprocal agreements. Verify that your PRO has a direct reciprocal agreement with COSON to ensure collections are routed correctly.
Territory Covered
COSON covers the entire territory of Nigeria. It is the sole Collective Management Organization approved by the Nigerian Copyright Commission to license the public and commercial use of musical works and sound recordings across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This includes radio and television broadcasters, streaming platforms, live venues, retail establishments, hotels, restaurants, gyms, shopping centres, and digital service providers operating within Nigeria.
How to Join and Membership Fees
Membership is open to all owners of copyright or neighbouring rights in musical works or sound recordings, including songwriters, composers, publishers, performers, and sound recording owners. To join, an applicant must submit a membership application along with proof of copyright ownership (such as commercially released recordings, published compositions, or performance documentation). The applicant's works must fall within the category of rights that COSON is approved to manage.
COSON does not charge a specific membership joining fee. The organization is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, and no individual owns shares. Members assign their performing and mechanical rights to COSON for collective management. Once admitted, members must register their works with correct metadata, split shares, and ISRC codes to ensure royalties can be matched to usage data.
Under the Collective Management Regulation 2025 issued by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, CMOs must provide written reasons if membership is refused, and members can request information about royalties, deductions, and outstanding sums. Members retain voting rights and can exit the organization under terms specified in the membership agreement.
Overhead Rate
COSON deducts administrative costs from collected licence fees before distributing the remainder as royalties to members and affiliated societies. Under the Collective Management Regulation 2025, administrative deductions are capped at 30% of royalties and income for the year, unless the Nigerian Copyright Commission approves a higher rate following a written application and a General Assembly resolution. COSON's FAQ states that "all licence fees collected (less the administrative costs) are distributed as royalties to the right owners and COSON affiliates around the world." The organization does not declare profit.
Royalty Distribution Schedule
COSON distributes royalties annually at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). In December 2024, COSON distributed N465.5 million to its members, the highest amount in its history and a 123% increase from 2023. Members received bank alerts during the AGM itself, with payments beginning immediately after approval.
Under the 2025 regulation, distributions are expected no later than three months after the financial year-end, unless there is an objective reason for delay. Distribution policies must be approved by members and based on objective usage data. This represents a shift from the previous annual-only schedule toward more timely distributions.
Reciprocal Agreements
COSON maintains reciprocal agreements with international collective management organizations, allowing it to collect royalties for Nigerian members whose works are performed abroad and to remit royalties to foreign societies whose works are performed in Nigeria. When a COSON member's music is played on radio in another country, that country's PRO collects the royalties and remits them to COSON, which then pays the member. Conversely, when foreign works are performed in Nigeria, COSON collects on behalf of the foreign society and remits the royalties.
COSON has agreements with platforms including YouTube, Boomplay, and other digital services to collect royalties on behalf of Nigerian music rights owners. The organization is working to expand its international reciprocal network to ensure broader coverage for its members.
Notable Members
COSON's membership includes many of Nigeria's most celebrated musicians and songwriters:
- 2Baba (2face Idibia): Singer, songwriter, and one of Nigeria's most influential Afrobeats artists
- Ebenezer Obey: Juju music legend and gospel artist
- Victor Uwaifo: Highlife musician, sculptor, and cultural icon
- Onyeka Onwenu: Singer, actress, and journalist known as the "Elegant Stallion"
- Timaya: Afrobeats and dancehall artist
- 9ice: Afrobeats singer and songwriter
- Sound Sultan: Rapper, singer, and songwriter (deceased 2021)
- Rugged Man: Rapper and songwriter
- J. Martins: Singer, songwriter, and producer
- Eldee: Rapper, singer, and producer
- Olu Maintain: Singer and songwriter
- Oge Kimono: Reggae artist and COSON board member, daughter of Ras Kimono
- Kenny Saint Brown (KSB): Gospel artist and COSON board member
- Zdon Paporrella: Musician, record producer, and songwriter
Comparison Table
| Feature | COSON (Nigeria) | GHAMRO (Ghana) | MCSK (Kenya) | SAMRO (South Africa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead Rate | Up to 30% (2025 regulation cap) | 30% admin + 10% welfare = 40% | 30% max (Kenyan law) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Join Fee | No joining fee | GH₵50 one-time (GH₵30 with MUSIGA subsidy) | Not specified | R100 (composers), R500 (publishers) |
| Territory | Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya | South Africa |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually (shifting to within 3 months of year-end under 2025 rules) | Twice yearly (June and December) | Irregular (licensing issues as of 2026) | Multiple payouts per year (4+) |
Videos
Similar PROs
- GHAMRO - Ghana's collective management organization for music rights, also operating in West Africa
- MCSK - Music Copyright Society of Kenya, serving a similar East African market
- SAMRO - South African Music Rights Organisation, the largest PRO in Southern Africa
- KOSCAP - Kosovo Copyright and Related Rights Association, another emerging-market PRO
Related Resources
- Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
- Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
- Mechanical Royalties - Understanding the difference between performance and mechanical royalties
- PRO Comparison Guide - Detailed comparison of PROs worldwide
- COSON Official Website - Visit COSON for membership and licensing information
- Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings
