PAWA Hails Nigeria’s ₦1.2 Billion Copyright Levy Disbursement To Creatives
A Long-Awaited Policy Comes to Life
THE Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has commended the administration of Bola Tinubu following the disbursement of the first tranche of Nigeria’s Copyright Levy Fund, describing the move as both historic and transformative for the country’s creative sector.
The payment, amounting to ₦1.2 billion (approximately $840,000) each to three Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), marks the first implementation of a levy scheme that has existed in Nigeria’s copyright framework since 1988 but had never been activated.
The fund was disbursed under Section 89 of the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022 and is expected to benefit authors, publishers, musicians, filmmakers, and audiovisual recorders across the country.
Political Will After Decades of Delay
In a statement jointly signed by PAWA President, Professor Bill Ndi, and Secretary General, Dr. Wale Okediran, the association praised the Nigerian government for demonstrating the political will to implement a policy that had remained dormant for more than three decades.
According to PAWA, the activation of the levy represents not merely a financial gesture but a structural correction in Nigeria’s creative economy.
The association noted that the levy system was designed to compensate creators for losses arising from private copying and other forms of content reproduction. However, despite its inclusion in earlier copyright laws, it had not been operationalized until the passage and enforcement of the 2022 Act.
PAWA described the recent payment as a “wonderful and historic gesture” capable of repositioning Nigeria as a leader in copyright protection and creative sector reform in Africa.
Impact on Grassroots Creators
Beyond symbolic importance, PAWA emphasised the potential economic impact of the fund on grassroots creators who have long struggled with piracy, weak royalty systems, and inconsistent remuneration.
The association expressed hope that the disbursement would help alleviate persistent financial hardship among writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creative professionals.
It also commended the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), recognising its sustained advocacy for the enactment and enforcement of the levy provisions. PAWA noted that the NCC had been at the forefront of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s copyright regime.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
While celebrating the development, PAWA urged beneficiaries and Collective Management Organizations to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the funds.
The association stressed that the credibility of the levy scheme would depend largely on how effectively and fairly it reaches rights holders, particularly smaller and independent creators who are often excluded from formal royalty systems.
PAWA advised that disbursement processes should be conducted through recognised associations of rights holders to guarantee fairness and accountability.
Africa’s Expanding Creative Economy
Situating the development within a broader continental context, PAWA called on African leaders to intensify support for the creative industries, which it described as a fast-growing pillar of economic development.
According to available statistics cited by the association, Africa’s creative sector generates approximately $4.2 billion annually and is expanding faster than many traditional industries. Projections by UNESCO suggest that with strategic investment and supportive policies, the sector could grow to $20 billion annually.
PAWA argued that Nigeria’s activation of the copyright levy could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to strengthen intellectual property enforcement and unlock the economic potential of their creative sectors.
Appeal to African Governments
The association concluded by appealing to African heads of state to continue supporting PAWA as the umbrella body for writers across the continent. It urged governments to meet their annual contributions in line with African Union provisions to sustain literary and cultural development initiatives.
For PAWA, Nigeria’s implementation of the Copyright Levy Fund is more than a policy milestone—it is a signal that creative labour deserves structured economic recognition.
