In a landmark move to address the escalating challenges of cybercrime and online piracy, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA). This collaboration, announced during a press briefing at NIRA’s Lagos office on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, underscores a concerted effort to safeguard Nigeria’s digital space, protect intellectual property, and enhance the country’s global reputation. Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the NCC, emphasized the critical need for this alliance, highlighting the adverse impact of cybercrime and piracy on Nigeria’s economy and international image. The partnership aims to leverage NIRA’s technical expertise and the NCC’s enforcement capabilities to create a safer and more innovative digital ecosystem.
Dr. Asein, addressing journalists, expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s tarnished global reputation due to the rampant prevalence of cybercrime, online piracy, and other digital offenses perpetrated both domestically and internationally. He noted that these illicit activities have not only undermined the country’s credibility but also inflicted significant economic losses on key industries, particularly the creative, movie, and entertainment sectors. “The book publishers, authors, movie makers, and musicians are lamenting that pirates are depriving them of the benefits from their intellectual property,” Asein stated, underscoring the devastating impact of piracy on content creators. He emphasized that the persistent theft of intellectual property through unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and consumption of creative works has stifled innovation and eroded the financial rewards due to creators.
The NCC’s collaboration with NIRA, a reputable professional body responsible for managing Nigeria’s .ng domain and overseeing internet governance, is seen as a pivotal step toward curbing these growing digital threats. Asein highlighted the importance of partnering with an organization like NIRA, which possesses the technical expertise and infrastructure to monitor and regulate online activities. He noted that this synergy would play a crucial role in sanitizing Nigeria’s cyberspace, ensuring that it becomes a safer environment for creativity and innovation to thrive. By combining the NCC’s legal and enforcement mechanisms with NIRA’s digital monitoring tools, the partnership aims to create a robust framework for tackling online piracy and other cyber-related crimes.
Asein further assured content creators, publishers, and entertainment practitioners that the NCC remains committed to intensifying its efforts to protect intellectual property rights. He emphasized that the commission would continue to pursue aggressive enforcement strategies and advocate for policy reforms to ensure that creators are adequately rewarded for their work. “You will reap from what you sow; your creative efforts will no longer be in vain,” Asein assured authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other stakeholders in the creative industry. He stressed that the NCC’s mandate aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of fostering a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, creativity, and respect for intellectual property rights.
The partnership with NIRA is expected to yield tangible results in the fight against online piracy. By leveraging NIRA’s expertise in domain management and digital monitoring, the collaboration will focus on identifying and shutting down websites involved in piracy and other illicit activities. This proactive approach is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, making it more secure for both creators and consumers of digital content. Asein noted that the partnership would also facilitate the sharing of critical information and resources, enabling both organizations to stay ahead of emerging trends in cybercrime and piracy.
Speaking earlier at the press briefing, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NIRA, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working closely with the NCC to address the challenges of online piracy and cybercrime. Akinsanya highlighted NIRA’s readiness to deploy its technical capabilities, including advanced digital monitoring tools, to track and take down websites involved in piracy. He emphasized that NIRA’s role in managing Nigeria’s .ng domain places it in a unique position to contribute to the fight against digital offenses. By monitoring domain registrations and online activities, NIRA can identify suspicious websites and work with the NCC to ensure swift action against violators.
Akinsanya also called for sustained public enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagement to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property protection. He stressed that educating internet users, domain name registrars, and digital content distributors is critical to fostering a culture of respect for intellectual property rights. “We need to ensure that all stakeholders understand the implications of piracy and the value of protecting creative works,” Akinsanya said. He further noted that NIRA would operate in line with international best practices to combat online piracy, ensuring that its efforts are aligned with global standards.
The collaboration between the NCC and NIRA is expected to yield several key outcomes, including enhanced digital copyright protection, the establishment of a domain watchlist to monitor suspicious activities, and the development of joint policies to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Akinsanya outlined additional strategies, such as joint public enlightenment campaigns and capacity-building initiatives to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to combat cybercrime. “This partnership will birth a new era of joint protection for Nigeria’s creative assets online,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving these goals.
The NCC-NIRA partnership comes at a critical time when Nigeria is seeking to reposition itself as a hub for innovation and creativity in Africa. The creative industry, which includes Nollywood, music, literature, and digital content creation, has emerged as a significant contributor to the country’s economy. However, the persistent threat of piracy has hindered its growth, with creators losing billions of naira annually to unauthorized reproduction and distribution of their works. By addressing these challenges, the NCC and NIRA aim to create a more enabling environment for creators to thrive, while also improving Nigeria’s standing in the global digital economy.
The partnership also aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of promoting a knowledge-based economy. By fostering an environment that respects intellectual property rights, the government aims to encourage innovation and attract investment in the creative and technology sectors. Asein and Akinsanya both emphasized that the collaboration would serve as a model for other African countries grappling with similar challenges. They expressed optimism that the partnership would not only curb cybercrime and piracy but also inspire other nations to adopt similar strategies.
To ensure the success of this initiative, both organizations have committed to ongoing collaboration, including regular information sharing, joint training programs, and the development of new technologies to combat digital offenses. Akinsanya noted that NIRA would continue to invest in capacity building to stay abreast of the latest trends in cybercrime and piracy. This includes training for domain registrars, internet service providers, and other stakeholders to enhance their ability to detect and prevent illicit activities.
The NCC, on its part, will focus on strengthening its enforcement mechanisms and advocating for legislative reforms to address gaps in Nigeria’s intellectual property laws. Asein reiterated the commission’s commitment to working with other government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to create a holistic approach to combating cybercrime. He also called on the public to support these efforts by reporting suspicious online activities and respecting intellectual property rights.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the challenges of the digital age, the NCC-NIRA partnership represents a significant step forward in the fight against cybercrime and online piracy. By combining their expertise and resources, both organizations are poised to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, ensuring that creators are protected and rewarded for their work. This collaboration not only strengthens Nigeria’s creative industry but also reinforces the country’s commitment to building a secure and innovative digital future.
In conclusion, the partnership between the NCC and NIRA marks a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to combat cybercrime and protect intellectual property. With a focus on enforcement, public awareness, and technological innovation, this collaboration is set to deliver significant benefits for creators, consumers, and the broader economy. As the partnership unfolds, stakeholders across Nigeria’s creative and digital sectors will be watching closely to see how this alliance shapes the future of intellectual property protection in the country.
