ENUGU — Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Advocacy and Sensitization Programme for Southeast Creative Professionals and Academics, Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke, Ph.D., has called for stronger protection of intellectual property rights, warning that unauthorized reproduction and distribution of creative and academic works threaten the livelihoods of authors, publishers, and researchers.
Anioke made the call on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while delivering his welcome address at the one-day advocacy and sensitization programme held at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, with the theme, “The Nigerian Copyright Law and the Role of REPRONIG.”
He expressed concern over the widespread practice of photocopying, digitizing, and distributing textbooks, research papers, novels, and other intellectual works without authorization, describing the situation as a major challenge facing the educational and creative sectors.
According to him, the practice deprives creators of the financial rewards of their intellectual labor and discourages further investment in writing, research, publishing, and artistic innovation.
Anioke observed that the Southeast has a rich tradition of intellectual excellence, literary achievement, and artistic creativity, but noted that the persistent violation of copyright threatens the sustainability of these contributions.
He criticized what he described as a culture in which people appreciate creative works but are unwilling to pay their creators, stressing that authors and researchers deserve appropriate compensation for their efforts.
Copyright Act 2022 Offers New Opportunities
The REPRONIG board member said the Copyright Act 2022 provides an important legal framework for protecting intellectual property, including works distributed through digital platforms.
However, he stressed that effective implementation and enforcement of the law remain essential to translating its provisions into tangible benefits for creators.
He explained that the advocacy programme was designed to bridge the gap between the legal protections provided by the law and their practical application, particularly among academics, authors, publishers, and other creative professionals in the Southeast.
Anioke Highlights REPRONIG’s Role
Anioke identified the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) as a key institution in protecting the interests of authors and publishers against unauthorized reproduction of their works.
He explained that, as a collective management organization, REPRONIG helps license institutions, particularly tertiary institutions, for the authorized secondary use of printed and digital materials.
The organization also collects royalties on behalf of authors and publishers and distributes the proceeds to the rightful copyright owners.
According to him, these services help ensure that academic research, books, and other published works generate financial returns for their creators while supporting the continued growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.
He urged participants to use the programme to deepen their understanding of their rights under the Copyright Act 2022 and learn how to work with REPRONIG to protect their intellectual property.
Anioke also encouraged attendees to share the knowledge gained with their institutions, departments, professional associations, and publishing houses to promote wider awareness of copyright protection.
Experts to Lead Discussions
The planning committee chairman thanked the programme’s guest speakers and resource persons, including Macfoy Akachukwu, Dr. Sam Owokoniran, and Mary Oyesola Adewumi, an administrative officer with REPRONIG, for their participation.
He also commended members of the planning committee and participants who attended physically and virtually, expressing hope that the engagement would produce practical steps toward strengthening respect for intellectual property rights.
Anioke called for collective action to build an academic and creative environment where intellectual property is respected, protected, and appropriately rewarded.
He emphasized that protecting the rights of authors, researchers, and publishers is essential to sustaining creativity, encouraging innovation, and securing the future of the creative economy in the Southeast and Nigeria at large.