REPRONIG takes awareness campaign to the University of Lagos

By Tosin Akeredolu

IN a significant move towards fostering intellectual property awareness, the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) team, led by its Chairman, Mr.Gbadega Adedapo, paid a sensitization visit to the University of Lagos. The REPRONIG delegation was warmly received by the university’s top management, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa. Other key university officials in attendance included the University Librarian, Prof. Yetunde A. Zaid, an intellectual property expert and WIPO Fellow, Prof. Oyewumi Adejoke from the Faculty of Law, and Prof. Hope Eghagha of the English Litand Literature department.

Mr. Adedapo introduced the REPRONIG team, which comprised board member and Chairman, Central Working Committee, Wale Okediran, Acting Executive Director, Mr. kayode Motunrayo, Chairman, Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi, Head, Licensing, Mr. Tosin Akeredolu, Nigerian Book Forum, Mrs. Tomi Ajayi, Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, Mrs. Adejoke Layi Babatunde and Barr. Alexander Ekemenah.

During the visit, Adedapo emphasised REPRONIG’s mission to safeguard the rights of authors and publishers through reprographic licensing. He highlighted the benefits of signing a licensing agreement with UNILAG, which would enhance research, authorship, and publishing activities within the university while ensuring fair compensation (secondary income) for academic writers and authors in the university community.

In her remarks, Prof. Zaid acknowledged the digital shift in academic research, noting that institutions increasingly rely on electronic databases and digital downloads. She emphasized that REPRONIG’s role is crucial in ensuring fair compensation for creators of intellectual works in both digital and print formats.

Acting Executive Director of REPRONIG, Mr. Motunrayo stressed the multilateral and bilateral agreements established with international Reproduction Rights Organizations (RROs), ensuring adequate compensation for Nigerian authors and publishers across borders.

Speaking on the legal and academic implications, Prof. Adejoke highlighted the practical benefits of signing a reprographic license, reinforcing UNILAG’s reputation as a leading academic institution in Nigeria. She also urged REPRONIG to ensure transparency in managing collected funds, thereby maintaining trust within the academic community.

In response, Adedapo called for stronger collaboration between the academia and the publishing industry, emphasizing that partnerships like these are crucial for advancing intellectual property rights and academic excellence in Nigeria.

As the engagement came to a close, both REPRONIG and the authority of the University of Lagos reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a sustainable intellectual property culture in Nigerian higher institutions, a culture of respect, values and ethos. The discussions set the stage for a formal partnership that will enhance academic research while protecting the rights of authors and publishers.

* Akeredolu is REPRONIG’s Head of Licensing