FG moves to strengthen copyright awareness as creative industry expands

John Asein, Director – General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has urged journalists and other stakeholders to play a stronger role in educating the public on copyright compliance, warning that widespread infringement continues to undermine the country’s fast-growing creative economy.

Speaking at a seminar in Abuja on Wednesday, themed “Beyond Reporting: The Media, Copyright and the Creative Economy,” John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, said the media remains one of the Commission’s most strategic partners in shaping public attitudes and reducing the abuse of intellectual property.

Read also: Copyright Commission tasks printers, book sellers, copyright related businesses on compliance

Asein said the training aims to “renew the atmosphere within the media space” and draw attention to the role of younger content creators, particularly within faith-based and youth communities, who often do not realise they are copyright owners themselves.

He said, the Nigeria’s Copyright Act 2022 signed into law last year ranks among the most modern in Africa and aligns closely with global standards. Nigeria is also a signatory to major international copyright treaties, including the Marrakesh Treaty, which has been fully domesticated and is now operational in the country.

“This is the first time Nigeria is having a unified intellectual property policy, the task ahead is to translate the policy into enforceable frameworks that benefit creators and the wider economy,” he noted.

On enforcement, the DG disclosed that recent collaborations with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) have made it easier to take down infringing domain names, reducing the need for market-level raids. The partnership, it said, is expected to curb online piracy and limit widespread digital abuses. Despite these gains, officials warned that the biggest challenge remains public behaviour.

“The average user still prefers free content, even when it is infringing,” the Commission said, noting that this attitude continues to endanger Nigeria’s creative economy, which is one of the country’s most promising sectors.

While assuring commitment to promoting awareness around copyright protection, Asein reiterated that the long-term viability of Nigeria’s creative industries depends on public respect for intellectual property rights

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