ABOUT PMAN
Building a Stronger Future
for Nigerian Musicians
PMAN is the umbrella body representing professional musicians across Nigeria, promoting welfare, protecting rights, supporting industry growth, and advancing the interests of music professionals nationwide.
OUR IDENTITY
Who We Are
The Performing Musicians Employers' Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is the apex registered trade union for professional musicians in Nigeria. Established to give the creative community a unified, credible, and authoritative voice, PMAN has grown into one of West Africa's most respected creative industry institutions.
Since its founding, PMAN has championed the welfare, rights, and legitimate interests of musicians across every genre — from highlife to Afrobeats, gospel to classical. With chapters in all 36 states and the FCT, our reach extends to every corner of the country.
We engage with government agencies, international bodies, record labels, streaming platforms, and performance rights organisations to ensure that musicians receive fair treatment, proper compensation, and the recognition they deserve as cultural contributors to Nigerian society.
40+ Years
Of National Service
PURPOSE & DIRECTION
Mission & Vision
The twin pillars that define who we are and where we are going as a national institution.
MISSION
Our Mission
To protect the rights and welfare of musicians, promote professional standards, and build a sustainable music industry that empowers creativity and economic growth across Nigeria.
- Rights Protection & Enforcement
- Welfare Advancement Programs
- Professional Standards Development
- Economic Empowerment Initiatives
VISION
Our Vision
To be Africa's leading professional music association, fostering excellence, innovation, and opportunities for musicians across generations, and positioning Nigeria as the continent's cultural capital.
- African Leadership in Music
- Industry Excellence Framework
- Generational Legacy Building
- Global Cultural Positioning
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our Core Values
These principles guide every decision, every advocacy effort, and every interaction with our members and the broader music industry.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our activities and dealings with members and stakeholders.
Unity
We believe in the collective power of Nigerian musicians — one voice, one purpose, one unwavering commitment to the advancement of our industry.
Excellence
We pursue excellence in everything we do, from member services to industry advocacy, setting the standard for professional music organisations in Africa.
Advocacy
We are relentless in advocating for musicians' rights, fair compensation, and supportive policies at every level of government and industry.
Transparency
We are open and accountable in our governance, finances, and decision-making, building enduring trust with our members and the Nigerian public.
Innovation
We embrace change and leverage technology and new approaches to better serve our members in a rapidly evolving creative and digital landscape.
PMAN AT A GLANCE
Our National Footprint
50,000+
Registered Members
36+
State Chapters
30+
Years of Service
100+
Industry Events
500+
Advocacy Programs
1
National Voice
OUR JOURNEY
Our History
Four decades of dedication, advocacy, and leadership — shaping the Nigerian music landscape.
Formation of PMAN
PMAN was formally established as Nigeria's umbrella trade union for professional musicians, bringing together artists from diverse genres under one institutional framework with a mandate to protect and advance their interests.
National Expansion
PMAN expanded its chapter network to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, establishing regional leadership structures, state secretariats, and formalising the association's presence across the country.
Industry Advocacy Milestones
PMAN became a pivotal force in shaping copyright legislation, engaging with the NCC, and establishing formal relationships with international music bodies including IFPI and WIPO to protect Nigerian musical intellectual property.
Governance Reforms
A constitutional review modernised PMAN's governance framework, introducing democratic elections, term limits, and clearer accountability structures for national and state executives — raising the bar for institutional leadership.
Afrobeats Era Advocacy
As Nigerian music achieved global recognition, PMAN championed the rights of artists in the streaming era, negotiating with digital platforms and advocating for equitable royalty structures and international copyright protection.
Digital Transformation
PMAN launched digital membership services, an online verification portal, and virtual engagement tools — modernising operations to serve a new generation of Nigerian musicians while maintaining institutional authority.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
National Leadership
Pretty Okafor
A veteran music professional with over 30 years of industry leadership and advocacy experience across Nigeria.
ELIZABETH GABRIEL, Esq
Award-winning musician and cultural advocate, championing gender equity and youth representation within PMAN.
ARALOLA OLAMUYIWA
Legal expert specialising in entertainment law, intellectual property rights, and the interests of creative professionals.
AMANZE PATIENCE UGONNA (UGOSAX)
Financial management professional dedicated to the fiscal sustainability and transparent governance of PMAN.
OUR SERVICES
What We Do
From rights protection to capacity building, PMAN delivers a comprehensive range of services designed to advance every professional musician's career and life.
Membership Development
Building a robust membership base that provides musicians with identity, community, collective resources, and unified bargaining power across all sectors.
Rights Protection
Defending intellectual property rights, negotiating fair royalty structures, and actively fighting the exploitation of musicians at every industry level.
Industry Advocacy
Representing musicians before government, media organisations, streaming platforms, and industry bodies to shape favourable policies and regulations.
Training & Capacity Building
Equipping musicians with business skills, legal literacy, digital tools, and professional development resources for long-term career sustainability.
Events & Conferences
Organising industry galas, AGCs, and regional conferences that foster networking, recognition, and collective decision-making among members.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Building strategic alliances with government agencies, international music bodies, corporate partners, and cultural institutions globally.
10M+
Musicians Impacted Nationwide
OUR IMPACT
Driving Positive Change in the Nigerian Music Industry
Over four decades, PMAN has achieved landmark victories for Nigerian musicians — from legislative reforms to welfare programmes that change lives and reshape industry practices.
Secured landmark copyright protection for over 50,000 registered musicians across Nigeria.
Successfully lobbied for a 10% Nigerian music content quota on national broadcasting stations.
Facilitated emergency welfare support packages for musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Negotiated royalty framework agreements with major global streaming platforms.
Established legal aid desks in all state chapters for musician contract and rights disputes.
Launched a digital training programme that upskilled 5,000+ musicians in business and digital tools.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Partners & Collaborators
PMAN works with government bodies, rights organisations, and international institutions to advance the music industry at every level.
FMIC
Federal Ministry of Information & Culture
COSON
Copyright Society of Nigeria
NCC
Nigerian Copyright Commission
PMRS
Performing & Mechanical Rights Society
IFPI
International Federation of Phonographic Industry
WIPO
World Intellectual Property Organisation
PRS
Performing Rights Society International
AUCI
African Union Creative Industries
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Join the Future
of Nigerian Music
Become part of a national community dedicated to protecting, empowering, and advancing professional musicians across every state in Nigeria.