Nigerian music has evolved over the years. From the days of Bobby Benson to contemporary Nigerian artists, music has been a constant factor propelling a lot of creatives in the entertainment industry.
Lou Rawls once said “Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people do not understand the language, they still know good music when they hear it.”
As creatives, music is a key factor used in almost every sector of the entertainment industry. Whether in films, movies, documentaries, presentations, poetry, or any other genre you could think of, Music adds a soothing background or tells a compelling story for the producers.

The popular phrase “there is nothing new under the sun” can also apply to Nigerian music. Over the years, various songs and albums have been released across multiple genres, and most of these evergreen songs can be found in the Public Domain.
Public Domain and Music
Let’s talk about the Public Domain for a minute. The Public Domain consists of Intellectual and creative works to which no Intellectual Property laws apply. That is, there is an expiration or there is no Copyright, no trademark, and no patent attached to these works.
Now there are different copyright laws for different countries and different types of creative works. In Nigeria, for creative works like music, audio, and sound recordings, the copyright of these works expires 50 years after they were first produced meaning, 50 years after the date of first production, they enter into the public Domain. So by extension, as of 1st January 2025 (International Public Domain Day) all musical works released from 1975 (50 years ago) and beyond are in the Nigerian public domain.
Nigerian Music in the Public Domain
Now there are a lot of Nigerian songs and albums that fall under this category. First of all, iconic Nigerian artists that were popular in the ’60s and early ‘70s like Bobby Benson, Roy Chicago, Bayo Martins, Ambrose Campbell, Tunde King, Ayinde Bakare, Tunde Nightengale, and many more released iconic music and sounds which are now in the Nigerian Public Domain.
These sounds and music can now be used, reused, remixed, and adapted for free by everyone even without attribution because they are now in the Public domain.
Some of these songs include:
- Na-Poor-A-Poor by Tunde Nightengale
- Oje Mba by Onitsha Native Orchestra released in the 1930s
- Aduke by Lagos Mozart Orchestra released in the late 1930s
- Nigbati Anobi Gunsanma by Hadji Amusa & Hadji Mustafa released in the 1930s
- Ore Mi Kini Se Kini by Lagos Mozart Orchestra released in the 1930s
- Aronke Macaulay by Tunde King and his Group released in 1937
- Taxi Driver by Bobby Benson released in 1958
- Apala Songs by Haruna Ishola and his Group released in 1961
- Yolanda by Ambrose Campbell released in 1966
- Eyo Beats by Tunde Nightengale released in 1968
- The Boy is Good by Tunde Nightengale released in 1968
- Open and Close by Africa 70 and Fela Kuti (Album) in 1971
- Shakara by Fela Kuti released in 1972
- Miliki by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey released in 1973
- Confusion by Africa 70 and Fela Kuti (Album) released in 1974
- E Kilo F’omo Ode by King Sunny Ade released in 1974
- Nkiruka by Chief Stephen Osita released in 1975
- Water No Get Enemy by Fela Kuti released in 1975
And many more…
We have gone ahead and created a playlist of these evergreen songs which will be updated regularly.
What can you do with these works?
Public Domain Music offers a wealth of creative possibilities. Like all Public Domain materials, these works are now free to use, reuse, remix, adapt, modify and the possibilities are endless.
Some of the practical ways these works can be used are:
- You can take classic highlife songs can blend them with modern electronic beats to create a fresh and exciting sound.
- You can use these classical sounds as a soundtrack for a visually stunning music video showcasing Nigerian culture.
- You can partner with archives and collectors of rare Nigerian records and digitize them, making them available online for research and enjoyment.
- You can host a workshop on traditional Nigerian instruments where the participants learn to play traditional instruments like ‘djembe’ or ‘shekere’
- You can design and sell merchandise like T-shirts, posters, and artworks inspired by public-domain music. For example, their album covers.
- You can host a music festival, celebrating iconic Nigerian highlife music.
- You can partner with traditional and modern upcoming musicians to create new music inspired by public domain works.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to public domain materials. Be sure to reach out to us at Free Knowledge Africa should you intend to embark on any project using Nigeria public domain materials. We would be happy to celebrate the reuse of these works and share your innovative creations with the world.
Conclusion
The Public Domain is an endless depth of resources and inspiration and these works offer a treasure of creative possibilities. From remixing classic hits to incorporating traditional instruments into modern composition, the innovation potential is endless.
Whether you are a seasoned musician or you are just starting out in music, the public domain invites you to explore, create, and reimagine. Creatives should use these immeasurable resources to their advantage by using and reusing public domain works. You can check out more public domain resources on publicdomain.ng and public domain music on Free Music Archive
So, go ahead and plunge into the rich world of the public domain. Discover hidden gems, experiment with new sounds, and share your creations with the world. The possibilities are limitless and the world is waiting.
Remember, the best things in life are free!