The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fighting piracy.
He made the remarks on Thursday at the Nigeria Publishers Association’s diamond jubilee and annual general meeting, held at Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Dr. Asein highlighted that the NCC has intensified awareness campaigns, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and enhanced the operations of its Special Taskforce to tackle piracy both online and offline, in line with the provisions of the Copyright Act 2022.
He said, “NCC had expanded awareness campaigns, strengthened regulatory frameworks and scaled up operations of its Special Taskforce to curb piracy both online and offline, in line with the Copyright Act 2022.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Solomon Adeleke, emphasized the critical role publishers play in safeguarding intellectual property and supporting education at all levels. He, however, noted that sudden shifts in education policies often lead to significant losses for publishers who have invested heavily in textbooks.
Adeleke called for regular consultations with the association before any policy changes or curriculum reviews.
Describing book piracy as a major threat to creativity and industry growth, he urged stricter enforcement of existing copyright laws to protect publishers and authors and to ensure fair returns on their investments.
In his keynote address, the Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association, Dr. Wale Okediran, traced the evolution of publishing in Nigeria.
He noted that while technological innovations have expanded access to books, they have also introduced challenges in quality control, especially in self-publishing, and called for collaboration to uphold professional standards.
In his address, the 25th President and Chairman of the NPA Council, Mr. Dauda, highlighted the association’s ongoing efforts to promote quality education through the production of affordable instructional materials aligned with approved curricula. He urged education authorities to review the implementation of proposed curriculum changes, recommending that the elimination of certain subjects be phased in over a transition period of at least two years.
Dauda further suggested that the new curriculum should begin with primary one in the 2026/2027 academic session, with other classes joining progressively, to ensure the timely nationwide availability of relevant textbooks.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, represented by the Acting Director-General, Dr. Peter Oluwafisoye, encouraged the NPA to continue its efforts in making literacy and education more accessible.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Mrs. Aisha Garba, represented by Mrs. Zainab Abubakar, commended the association for six decades of impactful work and urged members to adapt continuously to evolving technologies.
The celebration also included awards recognizing excellence and meritorious service to notable industry stakeholders, including NCC DG Dr. John Asein, Managing Director of Booksellers Limited Dr. Kolade Mosuro, and former NPA President Mr. Samuel Kolawole.
