Seek Permits For Live Bands Or Face Sanctions” — PMAN Issues Warning To Abuja Hotel Owners, Event Planners

The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has issued a strong warning to hotel owners, show promoters, and event planners in Abuja, mandating that they obtain official permission before engaging live music bands.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the acting governor of the chapter, Michael Oyibo Kaycee, stated that the association would no longer tolerate the exploitation, underpayment, or disrespect of musicians in the nation’s capital.

He announced that a dedicated task force has been mobilised to enforce industrial standards and ensure that only certified musicians are engaged for public events. “The system has been taken for granted for too long,” Kaycee remarked. “It is high time for everyone to understand the function of PMAN in the FCT. Show planners and event planners must take permission from the association.”

Kaycee also highlighted the shifting landscape of the entertainment industry, noting a sharp decline in traditional television viewership as digital platforms take over. He pointed out that “virtually everyone carries a television in their hands,” allowing young talents in remote areas to gain global recognition through digital influence.

The association further appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene in the plight of musicians and support the creative sector in Abuja.