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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

NIGERIA

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

Lawyers say the year 2024 has been “transformative” for the entertainment industry in Nigeria, including high success levels across the creative industry and streaming segment.

Nigeria’s film industry is in a state of “unprecedented growth” resulting from commercially successful content coupled with the demand for homegrown productions. Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah” led to box-office revenue surpassing 1 billion-naira in earnings.

The media market’s growing importance and profitability is well recognised, with revenue projected to reach USD5.27 billion by the end of 2024. In legislative developments, a landmark ruling was passed in February 2024 concerning the protection of journalists. A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the government should investigate attacks against journalists, as well as prosecute those responsible.

According to Reporters Without Boarders, “Nigeria is one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested, as was the case during the 2023 elections.”  

Despite constitutional protection, the Nigerian media was largely controlled by the government throughout much of its history.

Over the past year, however, the country’s press freedom rankings by Reporters Without Borders show Nigeria improved by six places compared with the previous year.

TIER 1

Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors’ Media and Entertainment Practice are pioneers and consist of leading experts in the Nigerian Media and Entertainment Industry. The practice is made up of four partners, two senior associates and sevent associates representing clients in both contentious and non-contentious matters across the Film, Music, Media (digital and print), Advertising, Gaming, Leisure and Hospitality industries. The Practice is headed by Isioma Idigbe a Partner and a recognized expert in Africa’s media and entertainment law space. Their clients include foreign and local corporate entities, SMEs, record labels, management and production companies, theatrical exhibitors and distributors, A-list film and music artistes, high net worth individuals investing in media and entertainment and government/regulatory authorities in the Nigerian Media and Entertainment Industry. Punuka’s extensive knowledge of the Media and Entertainment business as well as the practices and conventions of the local Industry, enables the firm to provide practical advice to clients in line with global best practices and local law. Additionally, Punuka’s affiliations with a network of international law firms through membership of Lawyers Associated worldwide (LAW) and organisations such as the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers enable it to adequately cater to its clients’ cross-border business and legal needs within the industry.

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