News
Worrying Reign of IP Thieves

Nigeria has been known as safe haven for stolen intellectual works and attempts by Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to stem the tide have yielded little or no results.
“Intellectual” and “theft” may seem strange when put together—at least at first.
But when it comes to intellectual property theft, criminals are hard at work.
Intellectual property is no longer safe and businesses are losing their competitive edge as a result.
Piracy, the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television programme, patented invention, and trademarked product has become a systemic problem in Nigeria.
At every turn whether in music, movies, electronic goods, food stuffs, automotive parts and pharmaceuticals, among many other things, pirates, unarmed but very lethal are wrecking havoc.
In the absence of official record, trillions of naira in revenue is believed to be lost annually to the counterfeiters.
It is now highly organized crime where criminal gangs including locals and foreign control production and distribution channels of copyright works.
Piracy thrives because most Nigerians are unaware or simply cannot afford licensed copies and original products.
It so bad that the federal government is considering a blanket ban on the importation of compact discs (CDs) and tightening of security at Nigeria borders where large quantities of pirate discs are being exported to neighboring countries.
Apart from Alaba International Market, Ojo, and Otigba, also known as Computer Village, both in Lagos and haven of piracy activities there are no less than 30 optical disc replication plants and 10 mastering plants that dot the length and breadth of the country.
To stem the tide, the Copyright Act to provide should be amended to provide stiffer penalties against copycats.
All relevant agencies must put in place measures to make the works of the creative artistes profitable.
Owners of intellectual property should also create their own procedures that ensure their ideas are protected from the day they are conceived.
Simple legal methods such as trademarks and non-compete agreements are some of the strongest methods available to avoid intellectual property theft.
Victims of piracy are also advised to recruit lawyers to prosecute pirates because Nigeria’s copyright laws are very clear on what is legal and what is illegal.
Most importantly, ask close business colleagues and employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement which legally prevents anyone closely involved with your company project from discussing it with anyone outside of the organization.
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News
Anambra Shines in 2025 E-Governance Rankings, Setting National Standards

Anambra State has once again demonstrated its leadership in digital transformation, emerging as one of Nigeria’s top three states in the 2025 e-Governance Report published by the Panorama CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI).
According to the report — a collaborative effort between Nigerian Panorama and the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS) — Anambra ranks alongside Lagos and Enugu as the leading states in adopting and implementing e-governance practices that foster accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery.
In his remarks, Professor Anthony Kila, Director of CIAPS, emphasized the importance of e-governance in shaping how governments interact with citizens. “The centrality of e-governance allows us to assess the performance of state governments in the country. How the government treats the digital world says a lot about them,” he said.
The report evaluated states based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including website security, up-to-date content, public engagement, availability of online services, policy updates, and user accessibility. Anambra’s performance reflects the state’s deliberate investment in digital infrastructure and its commitment to leveraging technology as a tool for inclusive governance.
Reacting to the recognition, the Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, described the report as a welcome validation of the efforts being made under the leadership of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to reposition Anambra as a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city.
“This is not just about being tech-savvy,” Agbata said. “It’s about using digital tools to create real impact — making the government more accessible, responsive, and transparent. Anambra is building a digital future that works for everyone.”
The CGPI Report recommended that all states intensify efforts to train public servants, maintain digital platforms effectively, and build user-friendly systems that keep citizens informed and empowered. For Anambra, this recognition serves both as a milestone and a motivation to scale new heights.
As the journey continues, Anambra remains focused on setting the pace for e-governance in Nigeria in line with the Governor’s mantra of Everything Technology & Technology Everywhere.
News
SERAP Urges National Assembly to Reject Tinubu’s $24Bn Loan Request Over Debt Concerns

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the National Assembly to reject the Tinubu administration’s request to borrow $24 billion, warning that the move would significantly deepen Nigeria’s debt crisis.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the advocacy group warned that the proposed borrowing would raise Nigeria’s total debt stock to an estimated ₦183 trillion—an amount it described as “clearly not sustainable and not in the public interest.”
“The National Assembly must immediately refuse to approve the Tinubu administration’s request to borrow $24 billion,” the group said. “The growing national debt is not sustainable and not in the public interest.”
SERAP expressed concern over the heavy burden of debt servicing, which it said is already consuming a substantial portion of government revenue, leaving little room for critical public investment.
Nigeria’s total public debt is projected to surpass ₦180 trillion following the president’s latest loan request. The borrowing plan includes a proposal for over $21.5 billion in external loans, which equates to ₦33.39 trillion at the official exchange rate of ₦1,590 per dollar. The administration is also seeking approval for a domestic bond issuance worth ₦757.9 billion to settle outstanding pension liabilities.
President Tinubu said the 2025–2026 borrowing plan targets key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, water supply, security, and employment generation. He noted that the plan is also intended to cushion the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.
The total loan request comprises $21.5 billion, €2.19 billion, and 15 billion Japanese Yen, alongside a €65 million grant. Tinubu assured lawmakers that the funds would be directed toward development projects across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with emphasis on rail networks, healthcare infrastructure, and poverty alleviation programs.
On pension-related borrowing, the president explained that the proposed bond issuance is aimed at clearing backlogs under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The measure, he added, has already received approval from the Federal Executive Council and is expected to improve retirees’ welfare, restore trust in the pension system, and inject liquidity into the economy.
Nigeria’s public debt has surged in recent years, rising by 48.6% in 2024 to ₦144.66 trillion—up from ₦97.34 trillion in 2023. The Federal Government accounts for 95% of that total.
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