One of the biggest reasons Nigerian musicians stay confused about royalties is simple:
too many royalty names, too little clear explanation.
Mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and sync royalties are often mentioned together, but they do not work the same way, they do not come from the same sources, and most importantly, they do not pay Nigerian artists equally.
Many artists register everywhere, upload music, and still earn nothing — not because royalties are fake, but because they misunderstand which royalty applies to their situation and which ones realistically work in Nigeria.
This article breaks everything down from scratch, explains the real differences, and shows which royalty streams actually pay Nigerian musicians in practice.
What Is the Difference Between Mechanical, Performance & Sync Royalties?
Mechanical royalties are earned when music is reproduced or streamed, performance royalties are earned when music is played publicly, and sync royalties are earned when music is licensed for use in films, adverts, TV shows, or online videos.
All three are publishing royalties, but they are triggered by different types of usage, and in Nigeria, some are far more realistic than others.
Quick Comparison Table (At a Glance)
| Royalty Type | Triggered By | Main Source | Works Well in Nigeria? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Royalties | Reproduction & streaming | Streaming platforms, downloads | Limited but improving |
| Performance Royalties | Public play of music | Radio, TV, events | Yes (with limitations) |
| Sync Royalties | Music licensed to visuals | Films, ads, skits, TV | Yes (highest potential) |
What Are Mechanical Royalties?
Mechanical royalties are earned when a song is reproduced.
Originally, this came from physical formats like CDs and cassettes.
Today, mechanical royalties mostly come from digital streaming and downloads.
Every time your song is streamed on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, a mechanical royalty is generated for the songwriter.
However, in Nigeria, this royalty is often very small and poorly understood.
Why Mechanical Royalties Are Weak for Nigerian Artists
The reality is that most Nigerian artists rely on distributors to collect streaming income.
Those distributors often combine sound recording income and mechanical royalties into one payout, making it hard for artists to even see mechanical royalties separately.
This is why many artists believe they are earning royalties, when in reality they are only seeing basic streaming revenue — a problem already explained in detail in
how Nigerian artists can collect publishing royalties.
Mechanical royalties work better internationally than locally, and they only become meaningful when streams are very high.
What Are Performance Royalties?
Performance royalties are earned when a song is played publicly.
This includes radio, television, concerts, clubs, hotels, churches, and any public space where music is used.
These royalties are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs).
In Nigeria, this role is handled by bodies such as COSON and MCSN.
A deeper breakdown of how this works locally is already covered in
PROs in Nigeria: How They Pay Artists.
Why Performance Royalties Matter More in Nigeria
Unlike mechanical royalties, performance royalties are tied to visibility.
If your song is on radio rotation, played at events, or performed live, it qualifies.
This makes performance royalties one of the most realistic royalty streams for Nigerian musicians — especially artists who perform often or get radio exposure.
What Are Sync Royalties?
Sync royalties are earned when music is licensed to visual content.
This includes:
- Movies and TV shows
- Adverts and commercials
- YouTube videos and skits
- Documentaries and branded content
Sync royalties are usually paid as a one-time licensing fee, and sometimes combined with performance royalties depending on where the content is aired.
Why Sync Royalties Are the Highest-Potential Royalty in Nigeria
In Nigeria, sync deals often pay more than months of streaming.
Brands, filmmakers, and content creators regularly license music, sometimes without artists realizing they are entitled to payment.
Artists who understand publishing structure and rights ownership tend to benefit the most from sync opportunities.
This is why sync income fits naturally into the broader income structure already outlined in
how musicians make money in Nigeria.
Which Royalties Actually Work Best in Nigeria?
| Royalty Type | Reality for Nigerian Artists |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | Low payouts unless streams are massive |
| Performance | Works when radio & live performance exist |
| Sync | Highest single-payment potential |
For most Nigerian musicians, performance and sync royalties are far more realistic than mechanical royalties.
Why Many Nigerian Artists Never Receive Any of These Royalties
The problem is rarely registration alone.
- Music is not used publicly
- No radio or TV exposure
- No performance records
- No publishing structure
Royalties are usage-based.
Without usage, there is nothing to collect — a recurring theme across Nigerian music income challenges.
What Artists Should Focus On First
Instead of chasing all royalty types at once, Nigerian artists should focus on:
- Visibility and promotion
- Live performances and radio
- Clear songwriting ownership
- Understanding publishing basics
When these are in place, royalties stop feeling confusing and start behaving like a predictable income stream.
Final Thought
Mechanical, performance, and sync royalties are not equal — especially in Nigeria.
Mechanical royalties are slow and small.
Performance royalties work when visibility exists.
Sync royalties offer the biggest single opportunities.
Once artists understand these differences, royalties stop being mysterious and become just another part of the structured income system already explained in
how musicians make money in Nigeria.
