The President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the operationalisation of the copyright levy system and other interventions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s copyright framework and improving returns to authors and other creators.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of ANA’s 45th International Convention, held on 30 October 2026 at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Abuja, Akanbi also applauded the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. John Asein, for its role in facilitating the process and advancing the protection and administration of authors’ rights.
The ANA President described the development as an important step towards ensuring that Nigerian writers are not only celebrated for their creative contributions but are also adequately rewarded for the use and exploitation of their works.
Dr. Akanbi, who described the Convention’s theme, Literature,
Dr. Akanbi, who described the Convention’s theme, “Literature, Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World,” as timely, highlighted ANA’s commitment to institutional development, the empowerment of established and emerging writers through workshops and publishing support, and stronger engagement with government on national orientation, cultural diplomacy and the creative economy.
He observed that insecurity remained a major constraint on creativity and the development of the literary sector and called for sustained efforts to improve security, address prevailing economic challenges and create an enabling environment for writers and other creative professionals.
Speaking at the Convention, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, called on Nigerian authors to deploy literature as an instrument for addressing national security challenges, strengthening national unity and promoting social cohesion.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the SGF, Mrs. Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens, the SGF described writers as custodians of experience and truth whose works could expose injustice, humanise the experiences of displaced and vulnerable persons, challenge stereotypes and help bridge ethnic and religious divides.
He urged writers to promote responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence while resisting inflammatory narratives and falsehoods capable of undermining national cohesion.
The SGF also called for practical measures to expand access to books, support emerging writers and strengthen the Nigerian publishing industry as a contributor to employment, cultural development and national economic growth.
Reassuring Nigerian authors of the Commission’s continuing commitment
Reassuring Nigerian authors of the Commission’s continuing commitment to their rights, the Director-General of the NCC, Dr. John Asein, said the Commission would continue to strengthen the copyright system to ensure that creators receive due reward for their intellectual and creative investments.
Asein described writers as being at the foundation of much of the creative economy, noting that literary works frequently provide advertising and digital content
According to him, copyright provides the legal and economic mechanisms through which creativity was transformed into valuable assets and talent into sustainable livelihoods, with benefits extending across the creative value chain.
He described the unlocking of the copyright levy
He described the unlocking of the copyright levy as an additional income stream for Nigeria’s creative industries as an affirmation of the present administration’s renewed hope for the sector and a recognition of creativity as both a cultural asset and a driver of economic growth.
On piracy, Dr. Asein assured authors that the Commission would intensify enforcement in both physical and digital environments and deepen collaboration with authors, publishers, technology platforms and other stakeholders.
He warned that piracy was not merely the unauthorised reproduction of works but an attack on authors’ incomes, publishers’ investments, opportunities for emerging creators and the contribution of the creative industries to the national economy.
Every pirated book takes something away
“Every pirated book takes something away from the author, the publisher and the creative ecosystem. Protecting copyright is therefore not simply about protecting works; it is about protecting livelihoods, investment and Nigeria’s creative future,” he said.
In recognition of the achievements of the NCC under his leadership, ANA presented Dr. Asein with its Special Recognition Award for distinguished service to literature, enduring commitment and invaluable contributions to the growth of Nigerian literature and the creative industry.
The Commission also received the ANA Award for Excellence in recognition of its outstanding efforts in promoting and protecting the intellectual property rights of authors in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address titled; Literature, National Security
Delivering the keynote address titled; “Literature, National Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World,” the Vice-Chancellor of the Pan African School of Economics, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji, described literature as an instrument of national consciousness, a repository of collective memory and an important re
He advocated greater integration of literature and the humanities into national security and peacebuilding policies, increased investment in public and school libraries, revival of the reading culture, improved institutional support for Nigerian authors and wider international promotion of Nigerian literary works.
Other highlights of the Convention included the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities and organisations, panel discussions, the induction of qualified members as ANA Fellows, and the commissioning of projects at the ANA Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village.
The Convention in a press release signed by Mary Adegbile, For: Director-General, also featured a performance of Senator Shehu Sani’s The Village and the Vigilante as the official Convention play.
