NISMCAA Terms & Conditions
Please read these terms before entering the National Inter-School Music Competition & Academic Award.
Terms version: NG-2026-10-03-f9282d3d45861. Eligibility
Student entrants must be currently registered students of the school they represent, and the school must be able to verify their enrolment. There is no age limit for student competition eligibility. NISMCAA currently focuses on secondary schools. Primary schools may register their school profile and interest; primary-school programmes, dates and entry arrangements will be announced separately. Student and parent / guardian permission and safeguarding requirements still apply.
2. Registration
Entries must be registered through the designated portal or the registration process specified by NISMCAA, within the published deadline. Late registrations may not be accepted. Schools and participants must provide accurate, current information. NISMCAA reserves the right to accept or reject a registration.
3. Categories, judging and awards
Categories include vocal solo, instrumental solo, school group performances and academic awards. Participants may enter one or more categories, subject to eligibility. Winners and finalists are selected by the judging panel. Judges’ decisions on artistic and academic merit are final, subject to the result review and competition integrity provisions below. NISMCAA may modify or cancel a category or award.
4. Conduct and performance
Participants must behave respectfully and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Cheating, plagiarism and unethical conduct are prohibited and may result in disqualification following an integrity review. Participants must follow all published category rules, performance guidelines and time limits. NISMCAA may disqualify participants for breaches of these requirements.
5. School group and individual music rules
School group entries must have no more than 30 pupils on stage in total, including singers, instrumentalists and dancers and a presentation of no more than 10 minutes, incorporating singing and live instrumentation on the assigned theme. Songs and performances must be original student work. Copyright songs, loops, backing tracks, prerecorded beats and external performance aids are prohibited; instruments must be played live by the students. Individual entries encourage pupils to participate in school music, and originality is strongly encouraged. Individual entrants may perform cover songs or copyrighted presentations, but the entrant and school are responsible for required permissions, licences and copyright liability. NISMCAA does not grant permission to use another person’s work. Individual qualifying videos must not exceed 10 minutes. For the school group finals, 8–10 schools are selected from eligible schools after jury vetting, with selection confirmed by the Secretariat. Eligibility does not automatically secure a final-stage place. Selected schools receive the official programme theme for that year and must compose and perform an original student song on that theme, within the 10-minute presentation limit.
6. Result review and competition integrity
NISMCAA reserves the right to investigate and review the outcome of any competition, qualifying round, final or award where credible information indicates that a school or student may have engaged in cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, the use of prohibited performance aids, or any other material breach of the competition rules. A review may be undertaken before or after results have been announced or prizes awarded. The affected school or participant will be informed of the allegations and given a reasonable opportunity to respond and provide supporting evidence before a final determination is made. NISMCAA may temporarily withhold confirmation of a result or release of an award while the review is pending. Where a breach is substantiated, NISMCAA may disqualify the entry, cancel or amend the affected result, withdraw titles or awards, require the return of prizes, and reallocate placements or awards to eligible participants. The review decision and reasons will be communicated in writing. This provision applies notwithstanding any statement that judges’ decisions are final.
7. Intellectual property and recordings
Participants retain rights in their original compositions and performances. By participating, they grant NISMCAA permission to record, publish and distribute their performances for event promotion, subject to applicable permissions and safeguarding requirements. Participants must ensure that their performances do not infringe third-party intellectual property rights.
8. Liability and safety
To the extent permitted by applicable law, NISMCAA organizers are not liable for injury, loss or damage incurred during the event. Adequate security will be provided. Participants are responsible for their personal belongings and equipment. NISMCAA may remove or disqualify anyone whose conduct may harm themselves, others or the event. Nothing in these terms excludes a responsibility or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
9. Changes, postponements and cancellations
NISMCAA may change the event schedule, categories, awards or other event arrangements. If the event is postponed or cancelled, the organizers will communicate updates and revised plans as soon as possible.
10. Privacy
Personal information collected during registration will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and NISMCAA’s privacy policy. Information may be used for event administration, event-related communications and promotional activities, subject to applicable consent and safeguarding requirements.
11. Governing law
These terms are governed by the applicable laws of Nigeria and Lagos State. Disputes arising from or connected with these terms are subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts in Lagos State, Nigeria. Terms for events in other countries will be published separately.
12. Acknowledgement and electronic acceptance
By participating, schools and participants acknowledge that they have read, understood and agree to comply with these terms. An authorized school representative must enter their full name, confirm the agreement declaration and click “I agree & electronically sign” in the School portal. The representative confirms school authority and that required student or guardian permissions have been obtained. Opening a form or visiting this page alone does not record acceptance.