Nigeria’s creative economy faces risks from weak copyright protections

Experts and industry stakeholders in Nigeria are highlighting the critical need for stronger intellectual property protections to safeguard the nation’s creative economy. The sector, which contributed approximately N1.97 trillion to Nigeria’s GDP in 2025, is projected to grow by an average of 8.6 percent annually through 2028.

Concerns have been raised regarding widespread copyright infringement and inadequate registration services, which threaten the ability of young creatives to monetize their work. To address these challenges, proposed copyright levy reforms aim to direct 50 percent of collections directly to rights owners, including artists and record labels.

While these reforms and the establishment of the Creative Infrastructure Trust Company (CITco) signal progress, industry observers emphasize that compensation must extend across the entire creative ecosystem. This includes producers, songwriters, engineers, and technical professionals who contribute to the commercial success of creative works.