PAWA COMMENDS NIGERIA FOR THE PAYMENT OF COPYRIGHT LEVY FUND TO AUTHORS AND OTHER CREATIVES

Following the announcement of the payment of the first tranche of the Copyright Levy Fund under Section 89 of the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022, amounting to ₦1.2 billion ($840,000) each to the three Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) for authors, publishers, musicians, film makers and audio visual recorders in Nigeria, the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has lauded the President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the wonderful and historic gesture.

In a release jointly signed by PAWA’s President, Professor Bill Ndi and the Secretary General, Dr Wale Okediran, PAWA noted that even though the copyright levy scheme had existed in Nigeria’s copyright framework since 1988, it had never been implemented until now.

PAWA therefore thanked the Nigerian government for the political will to activate this very important economic stimulus for creatives.

The association added that the disbursement would benefit grassroots creators in Nigeria and help alleviate long-standing economic hardship in the profession.

PAWA also congratulated and praised the resilience and hard work of all the stakeholders, especially the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) who have been in the forefront of the struggle and agitation for the enactment and implementation of this very important aspect of the Nigerian Copyright Act, 2022.

The association then called on the beneficiaries of the fund to ensure its transparent and equitable distribution through the associations of right holders of literary and other creative works.

PAWA also charged African leaders not to relent in their support for the creative sector in Africa which is noted for being a significant economic driver and an important contributor to the continent’s growth and development.

According to available statistics, Africa’s creative sector currently generates $4.2 billion annually, growing faster than many other industries on the continent. Furthermore, UNESCO projects that with proper attention, the sector could generate up to $20 billion annually, underscoring its potential as a critical driver of economic development.

The association concluded its statement by reiterating its appeal to all African heads of state to continue to support the Pan African Writers Association, the umbrella body for all African writers through the regular payment of their annual country contributions in line with the long standing provisions of the African Union.