—– Describes it as historic breakthrough for authors and publishers across the country and capable of positioning creative industries.
The Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) has described the Federal Government’s disbursement of ₦1.2 billion under the copyright levy scheme as a landmark achievement for authors and publishers nationwide.
The release of the first tranche from the Copyright Levy Fund marks a major milestone in the implementation of the Copyright Act and signals a renewed commitment to intellectual property protection as a pillar of economic growth.
REPRONIG, Nigeria’s licensed Collective Management Organisation for text and image-based works, operates as the country’s Reprographic Rights Organisation under the regulation of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The society lauded the move as a long-awaited breakthrough for creators of literary works whose secondary rights have often gone uncompensated.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, REPRONIG expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for activating a provision of the copyright law that had remained dormant for years. According to Adedapo, the administration’s action reflects a strong commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative industries and positioning intellectual property as a viable economic asset.
He described the disbursement as “a definitive victory for secondary right owners in the literary field,” noting that authors and publishers rely on income generated from photocopying, scanning, and other forms of reproduction to supplement earnings from book sales.
Adedapo also commended the leadership of the NCC for its diligence in ensuring the effective implementation of the levy scheme, stating that the commission’s stewardship has strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s copyright framework.
REPRONIG reaffirmed its readiness to work with the NCC to ensure that funds are distributed transparently and equitably to right holders across the country. The society emphasized that membership remains open to authors, publishers, assignees, and associations, covering a wide range of literary works including novels, poetry, textbooks, law reports, and computer programs in both print and electronic formats.
The development has also drawn international praise. REPRONIG’s global partner, the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations, welcomed the payment as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s copyright journey. In a letter signed by its Secretary General and CEO, Anita Huss Ekerhult, IFRRO described the disbursement as concrete progress toward establishing an effective private copying system that guarantees fair remuneration for authors and publishers.
Stakeholders say the activation of the copyright levy scheme aligns Nigeria more closely with global best practices in collective rights management. Beyond financial support, the initiative is expected to encourage creativity, boost the publishing industry, and promote a culture of reading and knowledge development.
With the release of the ₦1.2 billion first tranche, observers believe Nigeria has taken a decisive step toward building a sustainable and rewarding environment for literary creators, reinforcing the rule of law and unlocking new value within the nation’s growing creative economy.