President Muhamadu Buhari, GCFR has signed into law Nigeria’s new Copyright Act, 2022 which provides for the regulation, protection, and administration of copyright in Nigeria and enables the establishment of the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

The New Act repeals the existing Copyright Act, Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. 

The enactment of the new Copyright Act is a demonstration of the Buhari administration’s commitment to re-energizing Nigeria’s creative industry and making it more globally competitive in the digital age.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Hon. Nasiru Baballe Ila, the principal objectives of the new law as outlined in section 1 are to: 

• protect the rights of authors and ensure just rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts; 
• provide appropriate limitations and exceptions to guarantee access to creative works; 
• facilitate Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties and conventions; and 
• enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for effective regulation, administration, and enforcement.

He said the new Copyright Act expands the rights of authors, raises the sanctions for criminal infringements, and “more adequately addresses the challenges posed by digital and online use of copyright works.”

The Senior Special Assistant added that the Act also provides specially for the needs blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled persons to have access to learning and reading materials in accessible formats.

This act will strengthen the creative industry and unlock its potential for growth and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.