A Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered Airtel Nigeria to pay ₦210 million in damages to veteran singer Veno Marioghae Mbanefo for copyright infringement, Peak Newspaper reports.
Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that Airtel unlawfully used Mbanefo’s song, “Nigeria Go Survive,” without her consent.
The court held that the telecoms firm deployed the song in marketing campaigns, including promotions for its TV app and The Voice Nigeria.
Mbanefo filed the suit in September 2022 after discovering the unauthorised use of her work.
She said Airtel denied responsibility despite legal notices and evidence presented.
The dispute was also reported to the Nigerian Copyright Commission.
The judgment is seen as a major boost for intellectual property enforcement in Nigeria’s creative industry.
