Broadcasting
NCC Poised to Introduce Model IP Policy for Nigeria
As Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) partners stakeholders to develop a Model Intellectual Property (IP) Policy for Nigerian Universities, it has also appointed the 15 winners of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) maiden National IP Essay Competition as Copyright Ambassadors.
Mr. John O. Asein, Director-General of NCC, who revealed this in Abuja recently at a reception for the winners, remarked: “As winners and finalists of the maiden competition, you represent the product of a new dawn in the relationship between WIPO and Nigeria; a new beginning in the strategic dissemination of IP knowledge amongst students and young persons.”
The Director-General commended Ms. Susan Chioma Omeh of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, overall winner of the competition organised by the WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO) as part of activities marking the 2020 World Intellectual Property Day.
Addressing the winners, led on the study visit to NCC Headquarters by the Programme Officer of WNO, Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, the Director-General disclosed that the Commission was already collaborating with the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), the National Universities Commission and other stakeholders to develop a Model IP Policy for Nigerian Universities.
According to him, the policy would guide institutions on legally safe and sustainable use of IP in Nigerian tertiary institutions and provide a template for other areas of pro-active intervention.
“As Copyright Ambassadors and frontline stakeholders in your academic communities, your inputs will be required in the formulation and implementation of that Policy”, he pointed out, adding, “Together we can ensure that the intellectual property system in Nigeria provides the required support for the growth of our creative and innovation industries. Together we must make the IP system work in Nigeria and for Nigeria”.
Assuring that the Commission would not relent in the dissemination of IP knowledge, the Director-General noted that while Government and its constituent organs would continue to provide legislative and administrative frameworks, “the ultimate responsibility for the sustainable use of any IP system lies with the critical stakeholders”.
He observed that the theme of last year’s World IP Day celebrations and the topic of the essay: “Making Innovation Work for a Green Future in Nigeria” did not only focus on the global issue of the environment but also has metaphoric significance for Nigeria as a land with abundant creative talents, immense potentials and endowed with imaginative and talented people. In his words, “It is our collective responsibility to make intellectual property work for a greener, safer and more prosperous Nigeria”.
According to Mr. Asein, creativity and innovation have become the universal currency in today’s technology driven, knowledge-based economy: “Fortunately, there are very few barriers to creativity which is increasingly dominated by the younger generation; your generation; the digital generation. I am therefore delighted that we have a credible essay competition that gives students and young persons a voice in the policy space”.
The Director-General further charged the winners: “You are the bright hope of a better Nigeria where the value of IP as an inexhaustible national resource is well appreciated and accorded due respect at every level of society.
We see all around us a generation of vibrant, determined and committed young creators, innovators and entrepreneurs and it is my belief that with the appropriate support, they can use the intellectual property system to bring about rapid turn-around in the economic fortunes of our great nation”.
The responsibilities of the Copyright Ambassadors include: assisting in the dissemination of copyright knowledge; initiating relevant programmes and activities to promote respect for copyright and other forms of IP; serving as liaisons between their institutions and the Commission on matters of copyright; providing feedback for the Commission on various aspects of intellectual property; assisting in policy formulation and implementation; and carrying out other assignments that the Commission may from time to time require.
In his remarks, Mr. Moody assured of the commitment of the WNO to the advancement IP capacity in the country. He indicated that the office was awarding the winners internship and scholarship opportunities within and outside the country.
While appreciating the DG, NCC for hosting the finalists, he assured that the WNO would continue to work with the Commission to strengthen IP and Copyright knowledge in Nigeria.
Other winners of the essay competition are the first runner-up, Ms. Chantelle Chiwetalu of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria; second runner-up Mr. Olanrewaju Toheeb Balogun of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, Ojo; Mr. Rotimi Owolabi, a law student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Mr. Chibuzor Ndubisi, a mechanical engineering student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Mr. Habeebullah Asudemade, a law student of University of Ibadan; among others.
Mr. Charles Ebuebu, director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has called on Nigerian content creators to actively participate in the country’s Digital Switchover (DSO), describing the transition as a major opportunity for visibility, revenue growth, and industry collaboration.
Mr. Charles Ebuebu, DG, NBC
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the induction ceremony of the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) in Lagos, Ebuebu stressed that the success of the DSO depends on engaging content to populate the nation’s new digital channels.
“Without content, the DSO’s success would be incomplete. We are urging content owners to collaborate with the Commission to ensure Nigeria’s digital future is rich, diverse, and sustainable,” he said.
The NBC boss highlighted that the upcoming FreeTV Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform, along with its mobile applications, would provide content creators with nationwide reach, advanced analytics, and brand partnership opportunities.
Nigeria’s DSO, which marks the shift from analogue to digital broadcasting, is being implemented by the NBC using the Nigcomsat satellite infrastructure. The programme aims to deliver over 100 nationwide channels and expand access to Nigerians in remote areas via hybrid decoders, addressing long-standing infrastructure and funding challenges. The project, which has experienced delays since 2012, now has strong government backing and is scheduled for launch in April 2026.
Ebuebu commended EMCOAN members for their contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and encouraged them to leverage the opportunities offered by the DSO to promote local stories, culture, and creativity on both national and global stages.
During the ceremony, EMCOAN honoured its distinguished members, naming Wale Adenuga, MFR, as Grand Patron and Mr. Yinka Adebayo as Patron.
Prominent figures in the broadcasting content industry, including Wale Adenuga, Opa Williams, Agatha Amata, Jibe Ologeh, High Chief Emeka Ossai, Debbie Odetayo, Amina Mohammed, and Frank Elaboya, attended the event.
Representing the NBC at the event was Mr. Ralph Akpan, director of the Lagos Zone, while EMCOAN president, Mr. Adeniji Omirin, MD of ADNOM Media, urged members to fully engage in the digital switchover.
Canal+ is to cut jobs at MultiChoice as part of a sweeping restructuring plan aimed at stabilising the African pay-TV operator, following years of operational and financial pressure.
The move comes alongside a planned $115 million capital injection, underscoring the urgency of efforts to revive the business after the French media group took control.
The planned layoffs are expected to form a core element of a broader cost-cutting and efficiency drive, as Canal+ seeks to streamline MultiChoice’s operations and improve profitability.
The restructuring signals a shift toward leaner operations, with a focus on eliminating redundancies and optimising the company’s cost base.
MultiChoice has struggled in recent years with declining subscriber numbers across key African markets, weighed down by macroeconomic pressures, currency volatility, and changing consumer behaviour.
The rise of global streaming platforms has intensified competition, chipping away at the company’s traditional pay-TV dominance.
Canal+’s intervention marks a pivotal moment for MultiChoice, reflecting a more aggressive approach to repositioning the business.
By combining fresh capital with structural reforms, the new owners are aiming to both stabilise short-term performance and lay the groundwork for longer-term growth.
The $115 million injection is expected to provide immediate financial relief, supporting operations and potential strategic initiatives.
However, the accompanying job cuts highlight the depth of the challenges facing the company and the scale of transformation required to restore competitiveness.
Nigeria has ranked first globally in the ownership of the two largest stablecoins, Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), reflecting the country’s growing reliance on dollar-linked digital assets.
USDT, USDC
Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are designed to maintain a fixed value against the U.S. dollar, allowing users to store money digitally while avoiding the price volatility associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
According to the 2026 Stablecoin Utility Report released by BVNK, about 59 percent of Nigerian crypto users hold USDT, while 48 percent own USDC, giving the country the highest combined ownership rate among all nations surveyed.
The report placed Nigeria ahead of several major economies, including Australia and India, highlighting the country’s strong adoption of dollar-denominated digital assets. Australia ranked second with 34 percent USDT ownership and 29 percent USDC, while India placed third with 30 percent USDT and 27 percent USDC holdings.
The study also examined adoption levels across other regions. Countries such as Colombia and Singapore showed strong usage of both stablecoins, while adoption levels were also notable in South Africa and the United States.
Other markets included in the analysis were Philippines, Thailand and Argentina, where stablecoin ownership has also increased significantly. Among European economies, the report said France and Germany showed moderate levels of adoption, while Latin American markets such as Mexico and Brazil recorded smaller but growing usage rates.
The United Kingdom also appeared in the ranking with modest levels of stablecoin ownership. The report noted that USDT ownership exceeds USDC in many countries, including Nigeria, Australia, India, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina and France.
However, USDC is often viewed as a more compliance-focused stablecoin because of its stronger transparency and regulatory alignment. In some markets, including South Africa, Colombia, Germany and Brazil, the report found that USDC adoption slightly exceeds USDT.
More broadly, the data suggests that stablecoin adoption is being driven largely by emerging economies rather than advanced financial markets. According to the report, countries such as Nigeria, Argentina and the Philippines are among the biggest users of stablecoins, where people increasingly rely on dollar-pegged digital assets to protect savings from currency volatility and facilitate cross-border payments.
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