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By Damiete Braide
the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has renewed its call for greater access to knowledge for blind and visually impaired persons in Nigeria, as the country joined the global community to mark World Braille Day 2026 on January 4.
In a statement issued to commemorate the day, the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. John Asein, underscored the importance of Braille as a transformative tool for literacy, independence and human dignity, while drawing attention to the persistent shortage of accessible reading materials for persons with print disabilities in Nigeria.
Dr. Asein described World Braille Day as an opportunity not only to celebrate the innovation of Braille, but also to confront the structural barriers that continue to limit access to education and information for blind and visually impaired persons. He noted that the Commission’s message for the 2026 commemoration is captured in a simple but powerful call: “Let the Blind Read.”
According to the NCC, available studies show that less than one per cent of published materials in Nigeria are produced in accessible formats such as Braille, audio, or screen-reader-compatible digital text. This situation, often described as a “book famine,” has far-reaching implications for education, employment and social inclusion, particularly in developing countries.
“The cost of inaccessibility goes beyond social exclusion,” Dr. Asein stated. “It undermines educational outcomes, limits employment opportunities and weakens the participation of blind and print-disabled persons in national development.”
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He highlighted the Copyright Act, 2022 as a major milestone in addressing these challenges. The Act, he explained, represents a shift from a charity-based approach to a rights-based framework for access to knowledge. Through Section 26, Nigeria has domesticated the Marrakesh Treaty, allowing for the reproduction, distribution and cross-border exchange of works in accessible formats for persons with print disabilities.
The Act also introduces safe-harbour protections for Authorised Entities involved in producing and distributing accessible-format copies. According to the NCC, these provisions are designed to balance the interests of rights holders with the urgent need to expand access to books and learning materials for blind readers.
Building on this legal framework, the Commission has recently issued new Guidelines aimed at strengthening the safe-harbour regime. The Guidelines are expected to provide clarity and safeguards for stakeholders involved in the production and dissemination of accessible materials, while boosting confidence among publishers, authors and intermediaries.
Dr. Asein said the Commission believes the new regulatory measures will encourage wider institutional participation and significantly increase the availability of Braille and other accessible-format books. He added that the Guidelines will be supported by sustained advocacy, awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives targeting publishers, libraries, educational institutions and other stakeholders.
As Nigeria marks World Braille Day 2026, the NCC reiterated that inclusion is not an act of charity but a legal, moral and developmental obligation. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to a fair and balanced copyright system, one that protects authors’ rights while ensuring that blind and print-disabled persons have meaningful access to knowledge and learning resources.
