The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has lauded the Tinubu Administration for the payment of the first tranche of the Copyright Levy Fund under Section 89 of the Nigerian Copyright Act 2022.
The fund amounted 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.
Describing the development as a “wonderful and historic gesture,” the group, in a press release jointly signed by PAWA’s President, Professor Bill Ndi and the Secretary General, Dr Wale Okediran, 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, the umbrella body for all African writers, 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 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 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.U
NESCO 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 reiterated its appeal to all African heads of state to continue to support PAWA through the regular payment of their annual country contributions in line with the long standing provisions of the African Union (AU).
