NCC reaffirms commitment to tackle piracy, protect authors’ rights in Kaduna

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Kaduna Office, has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against piracy and safeguarding the rights of authors, publishers, and booksellers across Kaduna State.

Barrister Rukayya Muhammad Yeldu, Coordinator of the Commission in Kaduna, made the statement following a copyright monitoring and inspection exercise conducted at several bookshops in the state.

She explained that the operation was part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to enforce copyright compliance and strengthen intellectual property protection within the Nigerian book industry.

“Our goal is to ensure that all players in the book sector operate within the bounds of the law,” Barr. Yeldu said. “We are encouraged by the level of cooperation from most booksellers, which is crucial to reducing the prevalence of book piracy in Kaduna State.”

Also speaking, the Head of Operations at NCC Kaduna, Barr. Abdullahi Alfa Muhammed, said the inspection aimed to verify the originality of books in circulation and curb the distribution of pirated materials.

He disclosed that one of the bookshops visited was counter-locked after its operator allegedly attempted to evade inspection by closing the store. Barr. Muhammed warned that the Commission would not hesitate to take enforcement action against violators of copyright laws.

Meanwhile, Elder Chukwu Emeka Nnoroka, Chairman of the United Book and Stationery Dealers Association, Kaduna, expressed concern over unfair trade practices by some publishers who bypass booksellers to sell directly to schools.

Nnoroka appealed to the NCC to intervene and facilitate dialogue between publishers and booksellers to restore fairness and balance in the book distribution chain.

He, however, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to ethical practices, saying its members do not support piracy.

“We constantly educate our members to patronize registered publishing houses and avoid pirated books,” he said. “The survival of our industry depends on respect for intellectual property and partnerships built on integrity.”

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