The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has destroyed pirated books estimated at ₦141.5 million, seized from booksellers and suppliers during enforcement operations across the South-West.
The exercise, which took place in Ibadan on Tuesday, was supervised by the NCC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs. Oluropo Oke, on behalf of the Director-General, Dr. John Asein.
Asein explained that the pirated materials were confiscated over the last three years from bookshops and markets in Abeokuta, Sango-Otta in Ogun State, and Ibadan.
“Following proper valuation, the total worth of the seized books stood at ₦141,550,000.
“During our operations, some booksellers were unable to provide proof of legitimate purchase. Original books can be distinguished from pirated ones by features such as binding quality, colour, paper weight and the source of purchase,” he said.
The Director-General warned that the Nigerian Copyright Act empowers the commission to prosecute individuals found producing, distributing or trading in pirated materials.
He added that offenders risk penalties including fines, forfeiture of seized items and other sanctions as provided by law.
Asein noted that book piracy continues to undermine Nigeria’s creative economy, denying authors and publishers the rewards of their intellectual labour and affecting national economic growth.
He clarified that the seized books were shredded rather than burnt to prevent them from re-entering the market and to ensure environmental safety.
“We are committed to stopping pirated books from finding their way back into circulation. Shredding is an environmentally responsible method that guarantees total destruction,” he said.
He urged booksellers to source their materials from original authors, publishers or authorised distributors instead of purchasing from illegal vendors.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Mr. Rotimi Iyiola, described the destruction of the pirated books as a significant step toward safeguarding the publishing industry.
He said book piracy has severely affected publishers, authors and workers in the sector, while also depriving government of much-needed revenue, and reaffirmed the association’s readiness to work closely with the NCC to curb the menace nationwide.