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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for operationalising the copyright levy system, describing the move as a milestone that will ensure Nigerian writers are not only celebrated but also properly rewarded for the use of their works.
ANA President, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, made the remark on Friday at the opening of the association’s 45th International Convention, held at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Abuja.
He also applauded the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), led by its Director-General, Dr John O. Asein, for facilitating the process and strengthening the protection and administration of authors’ rights.
Akanbi described the convention’s theme, “Literature, Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World”, as timely, noting that insecurity remains a major constraint on creativity and the growth of the literary sector.
He called for sustained efforts to improve security, tackle prevailing economic hardship and create an enabling environment for writers and other creative professionals.
He also highlighted ANA’s commitment to institutional development, workshops and publishing support for established and emerging writers, and deeper engagement with government on national orientation, cultural diplomacy and the creative economy.
SGF urges writers to promote unity
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urged authors to deploy literature to confront national security challenges, strengthen unity and promote social cohesion.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, Akume described writers as custodians of experience and truth whose works could expose injustice, humanise displaced and vulnerable persons, challenge stereotypes and bridge ethnic and religious divides.
He urged them to promote responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence while resisting inflammatory narratives and falsehoods that could undermine national cohesion.
The SGF also called for practical measures to widen access to books, support emerging writers and strengthen the publishing industry as a driver of jobs, cultural development and economic growth.
NCC vows tougher action on piracy
Asein assured authors of the commission’s continued commitment to their rights, pledging to keep strengthening the copyright system so that creators received due reward for their intellectual and creative investments.
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He described writers as the foundation of much of the creative economy, noting that literary works often supplied source material for films, theatre, music, broadcasting, animation, advertising and digital content.
Copyright, he said, provides the legal and economic mechanism that turns creativity into valuable assets and talent into sustainable livelihoods.
The NCC boss said the unlocking of the copyright levy as an additional income stream for the creative industries affirmed the Tinubu administration’s “renewed hope” agenda for the sector and recognised creativity as both a cultural asset and an engine of economic growth.
On piracy, Asein said the commission would intensify enforcement in both physical and digital spaces and deepen collaboration with authors, publishers, technology platforms and other stakeholders.
He warned that piracy was not merely unauthorised reproduction but an assault on authors’ incomes, publishers’ investments and opportunities for emerging creators.
“Every pirated book takes something away from the author, the publisher and the creative ecosystem. Protecting copyright is therefore not simply about protecting works; it is about protecting livelihoods, investment and Nigeria’s creative future,” he said.
In recognition of his leadership, ANA presented Asein with its Special Recognition Award for distinguished service to literature and his contributions to the growth of Nigerian literature and the creative industry.
The commission also received the ANA Award for Excellence for its efforts in promoting and protecting authors’ intellectual property rights.
Delivering the keynote address, “Literature, National Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World”, the Vice-Chancellor of the Pan African School of Economics, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, described literature as an instrument of national consciousness, a repository of collective memory and a valuable resource for national security and global influence.
He advocated stronger integration of literature and the humanities into national security and peacebuilding policies, more investment in public and school libraries, revival of the reading culture, better institutional support for Nigerian authors and wider international promotion of Nigerian literary works.
Other highlights of the convention included awards to distinguished individuals and organisations, panel discussions, the induction of qualified members as ANA Fellows and the commissioning of projects at the Writers’ Village.
Delegates also watched Senator Shehu Sani’s The Village and the Vigilante, staged as the official convention play.
