In commemoration of this year’s World Book and Copyright Day, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on federal and state governments, policymakers, and stakeholders in Nigeria to take urgent steps to promote a vibrant culture of reading.
 
The rights group urged the bodies to ensure equitable access to knowledge and strengthen the protection of the rights of authors and writers in an increasingly digital world.
 
In a statement, MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr Idowu Adewale, stressed that books, whether in print or digital form, remain central to informed citizenship, cultural expression, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, even as the world continues to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation.

Also, the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr John Asein, has urged Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit.
 
Asein, who made the call mess while delivering his message during the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day, also highlighted the challenges facing the book industry in Nigeria.
 
He said the World Book and Copyright Day is an important occasion that underscores the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.
 
He said: “Our theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright,’ is a call on all Nigerians to imbibe the habit of reading, while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity, rewarding authors and building a vibrant knowledge economy.”

He said that Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s dynamic, digitally driven ecosystem.
 
Asein said: “Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity and diversifying content. Challenges, however, persist. Piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works.”