Airtel ordered to pay N210 million to singer Veno Marioghae Mbanefo for unauthorised use of her song “Nigeria Go Survive,” marking a major IP victory

The Federal High Court, Ikoyi, has ordered Airtel Nigeria to pay Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira (N210 million) to veteran singer Veno Marioghae Mbanefo for copyright infringement.

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Presiding Judge Honourable Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that Airtel Nigeria unlawfully used Mbanefo’s song, “Nigeria Go Survive,” without her authorisation, marking a landmark victory for the artist and reinforcing intellectual property enforcement in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Mbanefo had filed the suit in September 2022 after discovering that Airtel used her song to market its products, including the TV app and The Voice Nigeria, without permission.

In a statement to SaharaReporters at the time, she said she approached her lawyer, Rockson Igelige of Felix, Igelige and Associates, who formally contacted Airtel.

“Rather than address our claim, they denied culpability, defamed me, and threatened criminal charges,” she said.

“We then took the case, backed by witnesses and IT evaluations, to the Nigeria Copyright Commission, which began an investigation. While that criminal investigation continues, we filed a civil suit to enforce our rights.”

In a letter to Airtel’s CEO, Mbanefo’s lawyers demanded that the company cease using her work and initially sought N50 million for unauthorised use.

The letter emphasised that Airtel’s actions were deliberate and deprived her of the legitimate benefits of her musical work.

Justice Kala’s ruling now orders Airtel to compensate Mbanefo with N210 million, underscoring the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in Nigeria.

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This decision serves as a precedent for artists seeking legal redress for copyright violations, highlighting the judiciary’s role in protecting creative works.