The Senate at its plenary session of Wednesday, 6 April 2022, read for the Third Time and Passed the Bill to repeal the Copyright Act, 2004 and enact the Copyright Act, 2022 (SBs 688 and 769). The Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the regulation, protection and administration of copyright in Nigeria.

Presenting the report of the Joint Committee on Trade and Investment, and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the Chairman Sen. Saidu Alkali (APC: Jigawa) stated that the Bill is aimed at repositioning and strengthening the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the statutory agency of government responsible for promoting the use of copyright systems for advancing the Nigerian creative industry.

In his submissions, Sen. Alkali mentioned that the Bill focuses on the following:

1. Strengthening the copyright regime in Nigeria to enhance competitiveness of its creative industry.
2. Protecting the rights of authors to ensure rewards and recognition for their intellectual efforts while also providing appropriate limitations and exceptions to guarantee access to creative works, encourage cultural interchange and advance public welfare.
3. Facilitating Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties
4. Enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for effective administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Copyright Act.

Speaking on the legislative action conducted by the Joint Committee, Sen. Alkali informed lawmakers that a public hearing on the Bill was held on Tuesday, 12 October 2021, where relevant stakeholders unanimously supported the passage of the Bill. According to him, stakeholders noted that a legal framework which provide authors and producers with pre-emptive legal facilities to safeguard their creative work, generate revenues in the marketplace, and protect copyright and intellectual property rights in Nigeria was commendable.

Following from the views canvassed by stakeholders and subsequent analysis on the Bill by the Joint Committee, Sen. Alkali explained that the Bill makes provision for the following:

1. Rights of renumeration for performers in respect to audiovisual works.
2. Prohibition of online and digital reproduction of material.
3. Anti-piracy measures that safeguard against the mismanagement of information.

In conclusion, Sen. Alkali stated that Bill if passed into law, will provide an enabling environment for business to thrive and address various challenges related to right of authors.