NIGERIAN Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating piracy in Nigeria, with a recent collaborative meeting with officials from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to address cases of piracy of educational materials belonging to the institution.
Director-General NCC, Dr. John O. Asein who disclosed this while receiving the NOUN team on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s Headquaters, 15th November 2024, noted that the partnership was prompted by the recent arrest of a suspected pirate in possession of several copies of pirated NOUN course booklets.
He stated that the arrest was made possible by a joint operation of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and acknowledged the support of other sister agencies in the fight against piracy.
Dr. Asein encouraged stakeholders with cases of piracy and other copyright infringements to report to the Commission and gave assurances that the Commission will continue to sanitise the copyright ecosystem by prosecuting all pirates and their accomplices.
Vice Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi A. Peters, commended the prompt response of the Commission to the complaint by the institution and pledged NOUN’s commitment to following through with the case.
Prof. Peters who was represented by NOUN Director of Legal, Mr. Daniel B. Riki Esq. bemoaned the crippling effect of piracy on the efforts of the Institution. “It is a syndicate. We have been hearing of them but we have not had the opportunity of getting them until NCC made it possible for us. This is the most celebrated discovery in this area and we hope that in partnering with the NCC, we will get more and more of this kind of people. We just want to say thank you” he stated.
Director of Operations, NCC, Mr. Emeka Ogbonna shared further details about the arrest, stating that the pirate had been selling pirated NOUN course materials to unsuspecting buyers across the country. He confirmed that investigation is ongoing, with plans to bring the pirate and his accomplices to justice.
He assured that the Commission remains committed to protecting creative works and ensuring that pirates are held accountable.

Mary Avoswahi Adegbile
For: Director-General