NCC and NiRA Shut Down MovieBox.ng in Crackdown on Illegal Streaming in Nigeria
In a significant move against digital piracy, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has shut down the piracy website MovieBox.ng. The takedown, which took effect on July 20, 2025, marks a critical milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing campaign to combat illegal streaming of movies, music, and live sports.
The shutdown follows months of monitoring and is part of a broader push to enforce the Copyright Act of 2022, which mandates stronger actions against digital copyright infringement.
MovieBox.ng Linked to Widespread Piracy Network
According to Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, MovieBox.ng was part of a coordinated piracy network that operated using mirror and clone domains to evade detection.
“They use multiple mirror domains to promote pirated content, and their domain histories are linked to known piracy operations,” Asein explained.
The NCC is now actively working to identify and disable other related domains tied to MovieBox.ng to prevent it from resurfacing under different names.
Rights Holders Applaud NCC’s Action
The shutdown has been praised by rights holders across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, including stakeholders in Nollywood, the Nigerian music industry, and sports broadcasting. These industries have long struggled with massive revenue losses due to online piracy.
A UNESCO report reveals that 50% to 70% of potential revenue in Nigeria’s film market is lost to piracy—hindering the ability of producers to fund new projects and discouraging both local and foreign investment.
Call for Internet Stakeholder Support
The NCC commended NiRA for swiftly suspending the MovieBox.ng domain and called on internet service providers, hosting platforms, and intermediaries to collaborate by responding quickly to takedown requests.
“The role of internet stakeholders is crucial in enforcing copyright laws in the digital environment,” Dr. Asein emphasized.
The NCC is urging platforms and ISPs to comply with the Copyright Act and take decisive steps against illegal content distribution.
Telegram and the New Front of Piracy
While MovieBox.ng’s shutdown is a win, Telegram has emerged as a new hotspot for piracy. With its end-to-end encryption, user anonymity, and support for large file sharing, the platform is increasingly being used to distribute pirated movies and music.
Telegram’s ability to host large groups and channels allows piracy networks to grow rapidly and evade enforcement—a trend that global copyright regulators are beginning to address.
Key Takeaways:
- MovieBox.ng shut down on July 20, 2025, for streaming pirated films, music, and sports.
- The NCC and NiRA led the operation, citing the site’s links to a coordinated piracy network.
- Nollywood and music industry stakeholders welcomed the move as a boost to copyright enforcement.
- Piracy is still rampant on platforms like Telegram, where file-sharing and anonymity create enforcement challenges.
- NCC urges greater internet stakeholder collaboration to combat digital piracy.
