World Book Day: Commission Tackles Piracy, Promotes Reading Culture

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in Bauchi State has commemorated the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day with a series of stakeholder engagements and institutional outreach aimed at promoting reading culture and copyright awareness.

The celebration, themed “Read Books, Respect Copyright,” highlighted the importance of cultivating a reading habit while reinforcing the need to protect intellectual property as a means of sustaining creativity, rewarding authors and strengthening the knowledge economy.

The event featured an interactive session with stakeholders across the creative and publishing value chain.

In his address, the commission’s director-general, Dr John Asein, described the occasion as a reminder of the critical role books play as sources of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.

Asein who was represented by the Bauchi State coordinator, Nasiru Ahmed Tijjani, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration in tackling piracy and promoting respect for copyright.

He noted that Nigeria’s publishing industry has evolved significantly, from the early post-independence period to a fast-growing, digitally driven ecosystem.

According to him, Nigerian authors are gaining increasing global recognition, while publishers continue to expand their reach and diversify content.

Despite this progress, he identified piracy as a major threat, stressing that it undermines legitimate businesses and diminishes the economic value of creative works. He also pointed to weak distribution systems and limited access to books as barriers to expanding readership.

The Commission commended the federal government for the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, describing it as a significant step towards positioning intellectual property as a key driver of economic growth.

He explained that the policy provides a clear roadmap for strengthening the book sector and improving the protection and commercialisation of creative works.

He added that enhanced enforcement, improved collective management systems, better access to markets, and the adoption of digital publishing models would enable authors to maximise their earnings and compete effectively on the global stage.

The NCC also underscored the importance of inclusive access to knowledge, particularly for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or print-disabled.

It reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Marrakesh Treaty through the provisions of the Copyright Act, 2022, which support the production of accessible formats such as braille, audio, and digital texts.

The Commission pledged continued support to libraries, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to expand access to these materials and promote inclusive learning.

Dr. Asein further assured that the NCC would intensify its nationwide anti-piracy operations while encouraging Nigerians to uphold copyright standards. He urged students, parents, educators, and book lovers to patronise only authorised booksellers and publishers.

“Together, we can build a society where reading thrives, creativity is respected, and authors receive fair reward for their work,” he said.

As part of its outreach activities, the NCC paid courtesy visits to the National Library of Nigeria and the Bauchi State Library Board to strengthen collaboration on literacy promotion and copyright awareness.

Overall, the exercise enhanced stakeholder engagement and reinforced the Commission’s advocacy drive within the state.