Abuja: Movie producers have joined forces with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to address the growing issue of online copyright piracy in Nigeria. Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of NCC, underscored the importance of developing strategies and tools to tackle this problem, during his opening remarks at a meeting of the WIPO-supported project aimed at combating online copyright piracy in the African digital market.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative is considered a strategic intervention to modernize Nigeria’s copyright ecosystem in the digital era. Dr. Asein emphasized the necessity of identifying technical and legal gaps while providing tools to disrupt online piracy, which he believes will safeguard the future of the creative industry.
The meeting in Abuja brought together stakeholders from across Nigeria’s creative sector for the official launch of the WIPO-supported project. Nigeria is one of only four African countries chosen for this flagship initiative, which seeks to enhance legislative frameworks, build enforcement capacity, and increase public awareness about digital copyright infringement. The project, in collaboration with the NCC, arrives at a crucial time as Nigeria’s creative industries, especially Nollywood, are experiencing significant financial losses due to the widespread availability of pirated content on digital platforms.
Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, reiterated WIPO’s dedication to protecting intellectual property as a vital driver of innovation and economic growth. He highlighted the project’s reflection of WIPO’s growing collaboration with African countries and the shared determination to protect creators’ rights in the digital realm.
Dr. Queen Ebigieson, National President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP), commended the initiative as a pivotal moment for Nollywood producers who have long suffered from digital piracy. She stated that the project would provide producers with the necessary legal support, technical tools, and enforcement partnerships to counteract piracy effectively.
Dr. Ebigieson also stressed the need for continuous advocacy and industry collaboration, ensuring that awareness materials and capacity-building components reach grassroots filmmakers and digital content creators, not just major studios. She noted that the strength of Nollywood lies in its diversity and reach.
The project overview was presented by Dr. Tobias Bednarz of WIPO, while Michael Akpan, an IP expert and the project’s National Consultant, examined the current state of online copyright infringement in Nigeria. Additionally, Dr. Ioannis Kikkis, a consultant, led a session on enforcement mechanisms in the digital environment.