The Media Rights Agenda, MRA, has called on federal and state governments, policymakers, and stakeholders in Nigeria to take urgent steps to promote a vibrant culture of reading, ensure equitable access to knowledge, and strengthen the protection of rights of authors and writers in an increasingly digital world.
MRA made the call on Thursday in commemoration of this year’s World Book and Copyright Day.
In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, stressed that books, whether in print or digital form, remained central to informed citizenship, cultural expression, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, even as the world continued to navigate the opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation.
He noted that access to books and educational materials had remained uneven across the country, particularly for underserved and rural communities, pointing out that the high costs of books, limited public library infrastructure, and inadequate digital access have continued to constrain the ability of many Nigerians, especially young people and the poor, to fully participate in the knowledge economy.
At the same time, Adewale said authors, publishers, and other creative professionals faced persistent and increasing challenges in protecting their intellectual property, particularly in the digital environment where piracy, unauthorized reproduction, and weak enforcement mechanisms undermine livelihoods and discourage innovation.
He stressed that the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas, guaranteed both by the Nigerian Constitution and under international human rights instruments, depended significantly on the availability and accessibility of books and other knowledge resources, adding that “strengthening both access and protection is therefore essential to sustaining democratic discourse and inclusive development.”
Adewale called on the federal and state governments to invest in the revitalization and expansion of the public library systems across the country while leveraging digital and other technological tools and devices to improve access and relevance.
In addition, he said, they should promote policies that supported affordable access to books, including through digital platforms and open access initiatives.
He also urged them to strengthen the enforcement of copyright laws while ensuring that such laws were balanced and did not unduly restrict access to information; support local authors and publishers through grants, incentives, and capacity-building programmes; and encourage the integration of reading culture initiatives into national education policies.
Adewale called on private sector actors, civil society organisations, as well as research and educational institutions to collaborate in promoting reading habits, supporting local content creation, and leveraging technology to expand access to knowledge resources.
The World Book and Copyright Day, established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, celebrates books as powerful tools for education, cultural exchange, and the advancement of freedom of expression.
It also highlights the importance of copyright systems that reward creativity while ensuring that knowledge remains accessible to all.
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