The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Copyright Commission NCC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association NiRA, has announced the shutdown of MovieBox.ng, a website known for streaming pirated films, music, and live sports.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by NCC’s Director-General, Dr John Asein.
The Director noted that the shutdown, which took effect on July 20, 2025, is part of a broader effort to curb digital copyright infringement.
“The role of internet stakeholders is crucial in enforcing copyright laws in the digital environment,”Dr. John Asein, noted.
“They use multiple mirror domains to access and promote pirated content, with domain histories linked to known piracy operations”, he added.
The move has reportedly been welcomed by rights holders across Nigeria’s film, music, and broadcast industries.
He further said that, the action marks a major milestone in the agency’s renewed fight against online piracy.
Nigeria’s entertainment industry is currently valued at $4 billion and is projected to grow to $13.6 billion in 2028, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).