NCC honours former DGs, retired directors, strengthens focus on creative economy

By Benson Daniel

The Nigerian Copyright Commission has honoured five former Directors General and 13 retired Directors for their contributions to the development of Nigeria’s copyright administration and the growth of the creative industry.

The recognition ceremony, themed “Celebrating Our Legends,” brought together former leaders, retired officials, serving staff and stakeholders to celebrate the people who played important roles in building the commission and shaping the country’s copyright system.

Among the former Directors General honoured were Moses F. Ekpo, who led the commission from 1989 to 2000, the late Sylvester O. Williams, who served from 2000 to 2002, Professor Eyinna Nwauche, Professor Adebambo Adewopo, SAN, and Afam Ezekude.

Several retired directors were also recognised for their years of service, institutional leadership and contributions to copyright administration.

The current Director General, Dr John Asein, was also recognised for his earlier service as a director of the commission before becoming its chief executive.

Asein described the event as an opportunity for the NCC family to acknowledge the sacrifices and achievements of those who laid the foundation for the institution.

He said the commission’s current achievements were built on the work of previous generations, stressing the importance of preserving institutional memory as the organisation continues to evolve.

The NCC has begun initiatives aimed at keeping the contributions of its former leaders alive. One of these is the Moses Ekpo Prize for the best graduating student in the Department of Performing Arts at Akwa Ibom State University.

Asein also disclosed that the commission had commenced moves to establish the Dr Sylvester O. Williams Prize, with further legacy initiatives expected to follow.

Beyond celebrating its past leadership, the commission used the occasion to highlight its renewed efforts to protect creators and strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy.

Asein said the rapid expansion of digital platforms had changed the nature of copyright infringement, requiring stronger technology driven approaches to monitoring and enforcement.

He said the commission had intensified online monitoring and disruption measures against digital piracy while working with rights holders and other stakeholders to protect copyrighted works.

The NCC has also carried out interventions against illicit online platforms as part of its efforts to curb unauthorised distribution of creative content.

According to the Director General, the commission is focused on creating an environment where creators can obtain greater economic value from their intellectual property.

He noted that copyright was becoming increasingly important to Nigeria’s knowledge and creative economy, particularly as artificial intelligence, streaming platforms, digital distribution and the global influence of Afrobeats continue to reshape the industry.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, who was represented at the ceremony by the Director of Legal Drafting in the Ministry of Justice, Dr Patrick Etta Oyong, described the occasion as a celebration of service, leadership, continuity and institutional memory.

Fagbemi commended the former leaders and retired directors for their roles in strengthening copyright administration, enforcement, institutional capacity and Nigeria’s participation in the international copyright system.

He urged the commission to preserve the best aspects of its institutional heritage while adapting to emerging challenges created by digital technology, artificial intelligence, streaming services and new forms of creative exploitation.

The pioneer Director General, Moses F. Ekpo, expressed appreciation for the recognition and reflected on the formative years of the commission and its development over the decades.

The ceremony featured the presentation of plaques and gifts to the honourees, alongside goodwill messages, a meet and greet session and other activities designed to reconnect former and serving officials.

The event also coincided with the commission’s 37th anniversary, providing an opportunity to celebrate its institutional journey and the individuals whose service contributed to the development of Nigeria’s copyright framework.

The NCC’s renewed emphasis on digital enforcement and creative sector development comes as Nigeria’s creative industries continue to expand their economic and international influence.

With intellectual property increasingly recognised as an important economic asset, effective copyright protection remains critical to ensuring that creators, producers and other rights holders can benefit from their work.

The commission’s recognition of its former leaders therefore combines a reflection on its institutional history with a renewed push to build a stronger copyright system capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing creative economy.