The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has officially shut down MovieBox.ng, a piracy website known for streaming unauthorised Nigerian films, international titles, music, and live sports broadcasts. The action, which took effect on July 20, 2025, follows months of intensified digital enforcement efforts and forms part of the NCC’s broader clampdown on online copyright violations.

Targeting a Network of Clone Sites

According to NCC Director of Public Affairs, Ijeoma Egbunike, the takedown was carried out in response to evidence showing that MovieBox.ng was part of a wider network of piracy domains. The platform reportedly used multiple mirror and fallback websites to continue operations despite past warnings and interventions.

NCC Director-General, John Asein, confirmed that the domain’s history links it to known piracy operations and applauded NiRA for acting swiftly on takedown requests. He called on other internet intermediaries and service providers to comply with the Commission’s notices, as mandated under the Copyright Act of 2022.

“These platforms thrive on cloned identities and deceptive domains to keep illegal content online,”

Asein said. “Our action against MovieBox.ng is a message that the system is catching up.”

Consumer Warning and Broader Risks

In addition to the shutdown, the NCC issued a public warning against accessing illegal streaming platforms. The agency emphasised that such websites not only violate copyright law but also endanger users by exposing them to risks such as malware infections, identity theft, and financial scams.

This enforcement action is part of the NCC’s Stand Together Against Online Piracy (STOP) campaign, launched earlier in the year to disrupt digital piracy networks and raise awareness among content consumers and digital service providers.

Efforts are now underway to track and disable mirror sites affiliated with MovieBox.ng. The Commission noted that such sites often resurface under new names, and continuous monitoring and takedown enforcement will be necessary.

Industry Response and Next Steps

The shutdown has been widely welcomed by film producers, record labels, and broadcast stakeholders, many of whom have lost revenue to illegal online distribution. The Association of Movie Producers (AMP) recently reiterated its support for coordinated anti-piracy efforts, describing NCC’s action as a “necessary correction” for an industry that has been economically undermined by digital theft.

The NCC has also proposed deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission and ISPs to develop technical protocols for faster takedown compliance. These plans include a cross-agency task force and the introduction of a digital code of conduct tailored to Nigeria’s creative industries.

Conclusion

The removal of MovieBox.ng reflects a shifting tide in Nigeria’s copyright enforcement strategy. With regulatory backing, tech coordination, and growing awareness, the creative sector may finally be seeing the kind of protection it has long demanded. As at the time of this publication, the website is still live.