The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has disclosed that intellectual property theft costs the nation billions of naira annually, crippling the creative economy and stunting job creation.

The revelation was made during an anti-piracy sensitization program organized by MultiChoice Nigeria for students of Kuramo Senior College in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

A Multibillion-Naira Drain on the Economy

Lynda Alphaeus, a director at the NCC, emphasized that the financial impact of piracy is profoundly underestimated. She explained that the losses extend far beyond the creators themselves, creating a ripple effect throughout the economy.

“It not only affects the monetary value that would have gone to the creators; it also affects the economy generally because those who would have been employed by those creators are not being employed in the fashion industry, arts, or different types of categories,” Alphaeus stated.

She highlighted the strategic importance of targeting young people in the fight against piracy, noting that “when children have a change of mindset, a part of the war is already won.”

MultiChoice Champions Classroom Education in Anti-Piracy Fight

Echoing this sentiment, Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs at MultiChoice, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to public education. She stressed that the battle against intellectual property theft must begin in schools.

“Piracy is not a victimless act,” Oghuma said. “The future of Nollywood, Nigerian music, and other forms of creative expression lies in the hands of these young people. If they learn to respect creativity now, they’ll help secure the future of our creative economy.”

A Staggering UNESCO Report Underscores the Crisis

The urgency of this initiative is backed by a recent UNESCO report, which estimated that a devastating 50 to 70% of potential revenue in Nigeria’s film market is lost to piracy. This figure represents a massive leak in one of the country’s most promising and rapidly growing industries.

The event underscores a critical push to safeguard the future of Nigerian storytelling by instilling a culture of respect for intellectual property in the next generation.