Court Orders Airtel to Pay ₦210 Million for Copyright Infringement

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Airtel Nigeria to pay ₦210 million in damages to veteran singer Veno Marioghae‑Mbanefo after ruling that the telecoms company unlawfully used her song “Nigeria Go Survive” without permission.

Justice Ibrahim Kala found that Airtel’s use of the musical work for advertising, promotion, and telemarketing amounted to copyright infringement, as the company did not obtain a licence or authorisation from the artist.

The total award includes ₦200 million in general damages and ₦10 million for the cost of the action. The court also issued both mandatory and perpetual injunctions preventing Airtel and its representatives from continuing to use the song or any significant part of it for promotional purposes without proper authorisation.

Mbanefo had argued that Airtel’s use of her song violated her rights under the Copyright Act, as she was neither credited as the author nor compensated for its commercial use. The court agreed that the evidence showed a valid claim of infringement, although it did not require Airtel to account for profits allegedly earned from the song.