The Nigerian Publishers Association,NPA, has partnered with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, to introduce holograms on books to tackle piracy.
Speaking in Ibadan during a news conference to mark the 2025 World Book and Copyright Day, NPA President/Chairman-in-Council, Alhaji Lukman Dauda, said the hologram project would commence before the end of the year.
He explained that the initiative would make it easier to identify original books and make it nearly impossible for unauthorized persons to access the holograms.
“Anywhere anybody goes to buy any book, he can easily identify whether it’s genuine or pirated because if the hologram is not there, you should know that it is not the genuine one,” Dauda said.
On the event’s sub-theme, “Access to Knowledge: Balancing Book Availability and Copyright,” Dauda emphasized the importance of accessible educational resources for national growth.
He stated that books, whether digital or physical, are vital for education, entertainment, and global understanding.
He stressed that ensuring access to books is a collective responsibility involving authors, publishers, booksellers, and libraries.
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Dauda urged the government to adequately implement the newly enacted copyright law and ensure appropriate sanctions are imposed on piracy offenders.
He further called for improved funding of the NCC to help it combat piracy effectively.
Highlighting challenges in the publishing industry, Dauda advocated for public-private partnerships to revive non-functional paper mills and local industries that supply raw materials.
He explained that such efforts would reduce the cost of production and make books more affordable.
Dauda also appealed for continued sensitization campaigns to discourage the public from patronising pirated books and instructional materials.
He called for well-equipped libraries, both digital and physical, in schools and public institutions to improve access to knowledge.
He concluded by urging the government to remove or drastically reduce import duties on printing materials used in book production, saying this would significantly lower production costs.
NAN
