The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has reiterated that piracy poses a severe risk to Nigeria’s creative economy, pledging tougher and stiffer nationwide campaign against illegal networks in order to safeguard intellectual property.
Dr. John Asein, NCC’s Director-General made the statement during the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day, highlighting how piracy damages legitimate businesses and diminishes the worth of creative output. He highlighted issues like poor distribution and limited book access as barriers to wider readership.
Asein called the day a vital platform to affirm the role of books in knowledge-building, cultural heritage, and economic progress. This year’s theme—”Read Books, Respect Copyright”—urges Nigerians to cultivate lifelong reading while honoring copyright to fuel creativity and support creators.
The NCC observed Nigeria’s book sector’s progress, from post-independence local publishing to a digital era, with authors earning international acclaim and publishers growing—though hurdles remain. It praised the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (available at ippolicy.ng) as a key framework to boost the industry and drive economic growth.
The commission also underscored its dedication to equitable access via the Marrakesh Treaty, embedded in the 2022 Copyright Act, which supports formats like Braille and audio. It called on citizens to uphold copyright by buying books solely from licensed sellers.
