NCC shuts down MovieBox.ng for piracy, calling it a major threat to Nigeria’s creative sector.
Officials warn users against illegal streaming sites and pledge continued action against copyright abuse.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confirmed the shutdown of MovieBox.ng, an online platform accused of engaging in widespread copyright infringement.
The domain was officially taken offline on July 20, following a joint effort between the NCC and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), which manages Nigeria’s official .ng domain.
In a statement released on Monday, NCC Director-General Dr. John Asein explained that the takedown followed a thorough investigation. According to him, the platform had been deliberately structured to bypass enforcement through the use of fallback and mirror websites, allowing users illegal access to copyrighted content.
“This is far beyond casual copyright violation,” Dr. Asein said. “It represents an organized effort to promote piracy, sidestep takedown attempts, and make money from the creative work of others.”
He added that MovieBox.ng had links to several other piracy domains, showing a pattern consistent with known illegal content networks. He urged Nigerians to avoid platforms that offer free streaming or downloads, warning that such sites often carry additional risks, including malware infections, financial scams, identity theft, and phishing schemes.
The NCC praised NiRA for its prompt assistance in suspending the domain and called on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other online intermediaries to comply fully with takedown orders as provided under the Copyright Act of 2022.
Dr. Asein also revealed that the Commission is actively monitoring and taking action against mirror and affiliated websites connected to MovieBox.ng, to ensure complete disruption of the piracy network.
The decision has received strong support from rights holder groups within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, including film, music, and broadcast associations, who have consistently raised concerns about the financial harm caused by digital piracy.
This enforcement action is part of the NCC’s broader campaign titled “Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP),” which aims to rally ISPs, telecom providers, digital platforms, and regulators to protect Nigeria’s creative economy.
The NCC concluded by reaffirming its ongoing dedication to protecting intellectual property rights and maintaining a secure digital environment for content creators and industry stakeholders.
