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NCC Board Adopts New Operational Strategy

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The new Governing Board of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has affirmed its commitment to the management of dynamic operational strategies to reposition the Commission for effective discharge of its statutory mandates pursuant to the Copyright Act.

Addressing newsmen during the maiden meeting of the Board in Abuja, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, the Chairman, disclosed that in a bid to revitalise the regulatory and enforcement thrusts of NCC, the Board has approved various programmes and activities of the Commission in that regard.

Dr. Jaja pledged the readiness of the Board to partner with the Director-General of NCC, Mr. John Ohi Asein and the Management team to evolve policies that would fast-track the growth of the Commission and ensure the sustainable development of the copyright-based industries in Nigeria.

Earlier at a welcome dinner organised for the Board by the NCC, the Chairman expressed satisfaction with the Board’s composition which he observed was representative of the creative sector as provided under the Act. Assuring that the Board would not interfere in the routine administration of the NCC, Dr. Jaja underlined the need for the Board to cooperate with and support the Director-General in the administration of the Commission to enable him bring his experience of over 30 years to benefit the copyright industry.

“I speak for the Board; we will work together with the Commission to make a positive impact on the fortunes of the creative industries,” the Board Chairman stated.

In his remarks, the Director-General expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for giving the Commission a Board with seasoned and committed stakeholders with proven interest in their respective sectors as envisaged by the Act.

While expressing confidence that Board members would deploy their wide experience towards strengthening the Commission and the creative sector, Mr. Asein assured that the Commission under his watch would continue to partner with all stakeholders in order to complement the Federal Government’s economic policy on ease of doing business.

He expressed concern on the widespread challenge of piracy and assured that the Commission would step up regulatory and enforcement interventions to check both offline and online piracy of copyright works across the country.

The Director-General indicated that the fight against piracy would be intensified across the copyright industries. He reiterated the Commission’s resolve to provide safe corridors for the distribution of genuine books and warned that henceforth, booksellers, proprietors and school authorities that patronise pirated books would be prosecuted.

He stated that the Commission was already addressing the neglect of the artistic sector of the copyright industry, adding that measures would be put in place to activate the provisions of the Copyright Act to enable authors of artistic works benefit from the resale of their creative works by auctions.

In his remarks, a Board member representing sound recording on the Board, Rev. Bayo Awala, assured that the Board would rise to the challenge of paucity of funds hindering the fight against piracy. Noting that piracy has the ability to cripple the creative industry, Rev. Awala said the Board would devise creative ways of overcoming the challenges of the industry to enable right owners enjoy the benefits of their works.

Comrade Salihu Uthman Isa, a Board member representing cinematograph films, remarked that it was a new dawn for the copyright sector as the Board sets to work to change the face of the creative industries positively.

In addition to the Director-General NCC and the Chairman, other members of the Board include Sir Jesse U. Odu, representing literary works; Mr. Marie Towo Austin-Odigie, representative of Federal Ministry of Justice; Comptroller Gagiyo Mohammed, representing Nigeria Customs Service and Mr. Okon Udo-Udo Umoh, representing Federal Ministry of Education; Mr. Bongos Igwue, representing musical works; Mr. Danjuma Ladan Muhammad, representing broadcasts; Dr. (Mrs) Alewai Jidai Mamza, representing artistic works; and Mr. John C. Abang, representating Nigeria Police Force. It would be recalled that the NCC Board was inaugurated by the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN on 28th May 2019.


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Celebrating a Visionary Leader Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR at 65

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By Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA)

Today, we celebrate a leader whose unwavering commitment to “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” is turning bold ideas into real impact for Ndi Anambra.

As someone privileged to lead the Anambra State ICT Agency, driving e-governance initiatives, and now the Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS), a coalition of tech professionals, founders, and enthusiasts advancing technology and championing the re-election of Governor Soludo, I see first-hand how Mr. Governor’s vision keeps challenging us to push boundaries: from digitizing government operations to expanding free Solution WiFi, deploying smart solutions, and driving public-private partnerships that create jobs and make Anambra truly work for the people.

Today, under his visionary leadership, the combination of solid physical infrastructure, livable cities, and a growing digital backbone is fast positioning Anambra as an attractive hub for talent, investment, and innovation- a destination and not a departure lounge

Leadership is not about lofty speeches but clear action, and Governor Soludo has shown us that bold decisions, like removing Right of Way charges to drive connectivity, can transform an entire ecosystem.

As we mark his birthday, we rededicate ourselves to this vision: a smarter, more connected, and prosperous Anambra that works for all.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Governor, Oluatuegwu!

Here’s to more impact, more solutions, and a future that keeps rising.


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Court Upholds AVRS Legal Rights to Licence Audiovisual Works in Hotels

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the statutory right of the Audiovisual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) to licence hotels and other business establishments for the public use of audiovisual works (movies and films) transmitted within their premises via Pay-TV subscriptions.

Court Upholds AVRS Legal Rights to Licence Audiovisual Works in Hotels

This is a landmark judgment that reaffirms the rights of Nigerian copyright holders and strengthens the creative ecosystem.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who gave the judgment, dismissed the case filed by Reiz Continental Hotel Limited against AVRS, where the hotel sought a declaration that it could not be compelled to pay copyright fees for audiovisual content (movies and films) accessed through subscription-based broadcasting.

In the ruling delivered on Thursday, July 24, the court held that AVRS, by virtue of its status as assignees of copyright in several audiovisual works, and approved collective management organisation (CMO) pursuant to Section 88 of the Copyright Act 2022, had demonstrated the legal basis of its licencing activities, and was entitled to issue copyright licences to users of audiovisual works belonging to it, including the Plaintiff (Reiz Continental Hotel Limited). Abuja Formula 1 Grand Prix ticketsNigerian cuisine recipes

The court rejected the claims of Reiz Continental Hotel that it was merely a recipient of broadcasts from a pay subscription television service, and therefore not liable to any licence from AVRS.

It held that the activities of Reiz Continental Hotel, operating a hospitality business, which is profit-driven, and possessing several television sets, which transmit audiovisual content, were carried out in contravention of sections 11(b), (c) and (f) of the Copyright Act in respect of the rights held by AVRS.

The court also held that the acts of transmission of audiovisual works by Reiz Continental Hotel, since done in the context of business, were in contravention of section 36(1)(a) and (g) of the Copyright Act, unless licensed by AVRS.

According to the court, the provision of section 36(1)(g) of the Copyright Act, 2022, renders a person liable for infringement of copyright for performing or causing to be performed for the purposes of trade or business or the promotion of a trade or business, any work in which copyright subsists.

The court further held that participation in a collective licencing agreement by the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), of which Reiz is a member, was binding on Reiz and stopped it from denying the validity of the agreement with AVRS.

Speaking on the judgment, Mike O. Akpan, legal counsel to AVRS and principal partner, Alpha-Edge Legal, said that the judgment is not only a legal victory for AVRS and its members, but also a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding copyright law and protecting creative enterprise. Nigerian cuisine recipes

He added that it establishes a strong precedent for copyright enforcement across the hospitality sector and other commercial users of protected content.

Reacting to the landmark judgment, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, chairman of AVRS, said: “This judgment is a profound moment for members of AVRS. It affirms the legitimacy of our collective licencing structure and ensures that copyright owners in the film and movie sector are rightfully protected under the law.

“AVRS has always approached licencing with openness, fairness, and a readiness to dialogue. Today’s court decision is a win for our members, the film industry, for Nigerian creators, and for the nation. It strengthens the foundation upon which the creative economy can grow and attract investment.”


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NDPC Hides MultiChoice Privacy Violation Details Despite FOI Request- FIJ

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has refused to release details of the data and privacy rights violation for which it fined MultiChoice Nigeria, despite receiving a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from FIJ.

NDPC Hides MultiChoice Privacy Violation Details Despite FOI Request- FIJ

FIJ otherwise Foundation for Investigative Journalism, is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that combats injustice, holds power to account and speaks for the voiceless.

In its announcement on July 6, the NDPC said it had fined MultiChoice Nigeria N766,242,500 for breaching the data and privacy rights of subscribers and even those who are not necessarily subscribers.

FIJ emailed the data protection commission an FOI request on July 9.

The commission acknowledged the receipt of the email that same day and added: “It has been forwarded to the relevant department and we would respond soon.”

Fifteen days later, FIJ got no other response from the NDPC.

In Nigeria, FOI requests have a seven-day timeframe, and it starts counting as soon as a public institution receives a request for public information.

FIJ understands that holidays, which include a Sunday and a public holiday, are to be excluded in the computation of the timeframe.

The receiving institution is mandated, within those seven days, to either provide the requested information or explain in detail why it is unable to do so based on the provisions of the FOI Act.

Established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the NDPC’s tasks include safeguarding data privacy, enforcing regulations and promoting responsible data handling in the country.

When the Commission announced the N766.2 million fine against MultiChoice Nigeria, it said the company had violated the privacy rights of subscribers and allowed the illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.

MultiChoice Nigeria operates through various subsidiaries, such as DStv and GOtv. The NDPC said it launched an investigation into the company in the second quarter of 2024.

“NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” the statement issued by NDPC read in part.

“The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria. The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.”

FIJ’s FOI request aimed to understand the extent of the data and privacy breaches committed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the remedial measures directed by the NDPC and the specific channels through which the company collected the personal data of Nigerians.

Two weeks after the request was submitted, the NDPC has refused to respond.

Section 7, sub-section 4, of the Freedom of Information Act (2011) states, “Where the government or public institution fails to give access to information or record applied for under this Act or part thereof within the time limit set out in this Act, the institution shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have refused to give access.”

According to the Act, where a case of wrongful denial of access is established, the defaulting officer or institution commits an offence and is liable on conviction to pay a N500,000 fine.

At the time of this report, there was no publicly documented case of the NDPC granting an FOI request to share more details after an investigation.

In 2023, FIJ detailed how the Nigerian government often violated the FOI Act. Journalists at top newspapers in the country noted that government agencies had a habit of disregarding FOI requests, despite being legally obligated to respond.


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