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.
NCC’s Director-General, Dr John Asein, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The director noted that the shut down, which took effect on July 20, 2025, was part of a broader effort to curb digital copyright infringement.
He said the action was a major milestone in the agency’s renewed fight against online piracy.
He added that the move has reportedly been welcomed by rights holders across Nigeria’s film, music, and broadcast industries.
“They use multiple mirror domains to access and promote pirated content, with domain histories linked to known piracy operations.
“The role of internet stakeholders is crucial in enforcing copyright laws in the digital environment”, he stated.
Nigeria’s entertainment industry is currently valued at $4 billion but projected to grow to $13.6 billion in 2028 by PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC.