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By Azeez Elijah Olawale
"In the 21st-century creative economy, the ISMN is not a luxury, it is a necessity"
The International Standard Music Number (ISMN) is a unique identifier for notated music publications, just like the ISBN is for books. The National Library of Nigeria, as the designated ISMN agency for Nigeria, has a crucial mandate to promote its adoption nationwide. In today’s creative economy, music publishing is booming, yet many music publishers, composers, arrangers, and distributors remain unaware of the benefits of registering their works with an ISMN. Without proper promotion by the apex library, a large segment of Nigeria’s vibrant music sector could continue operating informally, losing out on global opportunities for recognition, distribution, and copyright protection. Therefore, the National Library’s promotion of ISMN is not just regulatory, it is very important for the professionalization and global integration of Nigeria’s music publishing industry.
Among the critical categories of people who need the ISMN are composers and songwriters. These individuals are the primary creators of original musical content and often wish to distribute their works in printed form, whether as sheet music, songbooks, or orchestral scores. An ISMN helps composers uniquely identify their publications, facilitating easier distribution through online and offline channels. It also protects their intellectual property, offering traceability and validation in copyright disputes. As the Nigerian music industry continues to expand globally, composers need to align with international best practices in music publishing to benefit from opportunities like music licensing, international sales, and archival documentation. By promoting ISMN registration, the National Library ensures that Nigerian composers are not left behind in the global creative economy, especially at a time when Afrobeat and other indigenous genres are commanding worldwide attention.
Equally important are music publishers, a group often overlooked in conversations about Nigeria’s creative economy. Music publishers act as intermediaries between composers and the consuming public, managing rights, sales, and distribution. For them, the ISMN system provides an organized method for cataloging music publications, simplifying business transactions, and enhancing visibility in domestic and international markets. Proper ISMN registration allows Nigerian music publishers to list their works in global databases, making it easier for libraries, stores, and online platforms to source and distribute Nigerian music. In promoting ISMN to this group, the National Library plays an indispensable role in strengthening the business infrastructure around Nigerian music, thus encouraging more structured investment and partnerships in the sector.
Another important category includes educational institutions such as universities, conservatories, and music academies. These institutions frequently produce and circulate music scores, academic compositions, and pedagogical materials. When Music composersobtain ISMNs for their publications, these institutions ensure that their musical works are properly archived and retrievable within global and national bibliographic systems. Moreover, students and researchers can cite and access these works more reliably, enriching the scholarly ecosystem around African music. Promoting ISMN registration among educational institutions ensures that Nigerian academic contributions to music are properly documented and preserved. This effort supports the broader cultural and intellectual heritage goals that the National Library champions, linking music education to national development agendas.
Instrument makers and distributors also form a less obvious but critical group needing ISMN awareness. In many cases, manufacturers bundle musical scores with their instruments, particularly for instructional purposes. Ensuring these scores have an ISMN helps legitimize their inclusion in formal educational and commercial contexts. For instance, a Nigerian company producing indigenous musical instruments accompanied by training booklets would benefit greatly from ISMN registration, as it would allow easier entry into international markets where standardization is strictly observed. Here, the National Library’s promotion of ISMN to this category would not only foster cultural preservation but also open new economic vistas for indigenous musical industries.
Finally, the promotion of ISMN is necessary for national statistical and bibliographic purposes. The National Library is responsible for compiling the national bibliography of Nigeria, and including music scores within this framework is essential for a holistic record of Nigeria’s creative outputs. ISMN registration ensures that music publications are properly documented, making it possible to track the growth, trends, and challenges of Nigeria’s music publishing sector over time. Moreover, ISMNs facilitate interlibrary loans, music cataloging, and research activities, reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a hub for scholarly and artistic excellence. The NLN's vigorous promotion of ISMN will thus directly support Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy efforts, ensuring that Nigerian music remains a recognized and respected element of the world’s cultural heritage.
In conclusion, the promotion of ISMN by the National Library of Nigeria must be comprehensive and sustained, targeting composers, publishers, educational institutions, instrument distributors, and the general creative economy. Effective awareness campaigns, workshops, and strategic partnerships with music bodies like the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) can amplify this effort. Given the globalized nature of music consumption today, Nigeria cannot afford to be passive in ensuring its musical works are globally visible, traceable, and marketable. The National Library's strategic promotion of ISMN will not only enhance individual and corporate benefits for Nigerian musicians and publishers but will also contribute to national pride, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.