LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-The FCT Chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), has announced strict guidelines requiring event organizers in Abuja to seek approval before hiring live bands.
The new regulations, announced by the acting governor, Michael Oyibo Kaycee, during a press briefing in Abuja targets hotel owners, event planners, and other players in Abuja’s entertainment scene. According to the association, anyone planning to feature live music bands at events in the capital must now obtain proper approval or risk facing penalization.
He stressed that stakeholders must also ensure they work only with certified musicians, warning that the era of ignoring industry standards is over. Kaycee maintained that the association is determined to protect performers from exploitation, disrespect, and poor pay.
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“You are required to obey industrial standards, engage certified musicians, and fill your obligations. Our task force is fully operational from today. The system has been taken for granted for too long. It is high time for everybody to understand the function of PMAN in FCT. Show planners, event planners are to take permission from the association,” he said.
Notably, the association called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to step in and support its efforts to regulate the industry and improve conditions for musicians.
In addition, Kaycee highlighted changes in how audiences consume entertainment, noting a sharp drop in traditional television viewership. He explained that digital platforms now dominate, allowing even people in remote areas to gain global visibility.
“Today, virtually everyone carries a television in their hands. A young boy in a remote area can gain global recognition simply through digital influence. This clearly shows that digital platforms are now the dominant force in content distribution,” Kaycee noted.
Ultimately, PMAN’s new directive ensures musicians get their due wages by reshaping Abuja’s live music space and placing greater responsibility on event organizers to follow established standards or face consequences.