NFVCB, commission strengthen collaboration to combat digital piracy, others

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has raided several bookshops in Lagos State, confiscating pirated books valued at over N100 million. Director-General of the NCC, Dr John Asein, said that the three-day operation was conducted in Ikeja, Ikotun, Bariga and Ikorodu between Friday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

He said that the operation was led by the Deputy Director of Operations, Lagos Office of the NCC, Charles Amudipe. Asein said that government’s efforts to curb copyright infringements had started yielding positive results through coordinated operations, arrests, and prosecution of offenders involved in the illegal reproduction, sale and distribution of creative works.

He declared that piracy remained a major threat to the nation’s creative industry, undermining the efforts of authors, musicians, film-makers, and other intellectual property owners whose hard work and innovation drive the country’s cultural and economic growth.

He stated that seized pirated materials are routinely destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market, thereby sending a strong message of deterrence to potential offenders.

Also, Director of the NCC Lagos Office, Lynda Alphaeus, said the operation formed part of the commission’s sustained campaign against piracy across the country.

RELATEDLY, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for deeper collaboration between the Board and the NCC to tackle the growing menace of digital piracy threatening Nigeria’s creative economy.

He made the call during a courtesy visit to Asein in Abuja, where both agencies pledged renewed commitment to joint efforts aimed at safeguarding the intellectual property rights of Nigerian filmmakers and other content creators.

In his remark, Husseini commended the NCC for its tireless work in protecting creators’ rights and preserving the integrity of the nation’s creative sector.

He expressed concern over the rising cases of film piracy on encrypted digital platforms, particularly Telegram channels and unauthorised streaming websites, where Nigerian films are illegally shared within hours of release.

The NFVCB boss said the visit was to convey stakeholders’ concerns and to explore stronger inter-agency cooperation in copyright enforcement, digital monitoring, and public education.

In his response, Asein reaffirmed the NCC’s readiness to work with the NFVCB and other stakeholders to restore the dignity and reward due to Nigerian creators.