‘Read books, respect copyright’, NCC D-G Asein urges Nigerians
By Editor
AS Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating World Book and Copyright Day 2026, an important occasion that underscores the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development, a call has gone out urging Nigerians to read books while respecting the copyright of book creators. Making this urgent call in Abuja is the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, who categorised copyright violations as theft that attracts penalties under the law.
Asein said the theme for this year’s celebration ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright’ is a call on all Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity, rewarding authors and building a vibrant knowledge economy.
According to him, “Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s dynamic, digitally driven ecosystem. Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity and diversifying content. However, challenges persist. Piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works. Inadequate distribution systems and limited access to books also constrain the growth of readership.
“Nigeria’s literary heritage remains a source of pride and global relevance. The contributions of our writers underscore a fundamental truth: that intellectual property protection is not only a legal obligation but a strategic necessity for economic growth and cultural sustainability. The commission therefore acknowledges with profound appreciation, the issuance of the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy which represents a bold step in repositioning intellectual property as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation. The policy provides a roadmap for revamping the book sector for the benefit or authors and publishers.”
The policy, according to the NCC’s DG, which is available to the public at ippolicy.ng, “will also provide Nigeria with a more coherent legal and institutional framework for the protection and commercialisation of copyright works. With stronger enforcement, improved collective management systems, enhanced access to markets and better integration of digital publishing models, authors will be better positioned to earn from their creativity, expand their readership and compete globally.”
Asein also acknowledged the need to carry all segments of society along in reading campaigns, especially those who are visually impaired, noting, “As we celebrate and encourage Nigerians to read, let us also recognise the needs of persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print-disabled, for whom access to books remains a significant challenge. The commission is committed to advancing equitable access through the effective implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty, as reflected in the Copyright Act, 2022. The Act already provides for exceptions to facilitate the production and distribution of accessible format copies such as Braille, audio, and digital text.
“We will continue to support authorised entities, libraries, educational institutions, and relevant stakeholders to expand the availability of such materials, strengthen accessible publishing standards, and promote inclusive learning environments. In doing so, we reaffirm that the right to read must extend to all and no one should be excluded from knowledge on account of disability.”
Fight against piracy, DG Asein reemphasised, remains a central of role of the commission, adding, “Finally, the commission will continue to intensify its nationwide anti-piracy operations to disrupt illicit networks, while promoting a culture of respect for copyright. We therefore call on students, parents, educators and book lovers to always respect copyright and to purchase books only from accredited booksellers, authorised distributors and publishers. Let us, together, build a nation where reading is a habit, creativity is respected and our authors are justly rewarded.
“Happy World Book and Copyright Day 2026!”
