The Nigerian literary community is taking a decisive step toward reforming the way writers are rewarded and protected in the country. At the Poets in Nigeria (PIN) 10th Anniversary Public Lecture, held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, literary stakeholders resolved to form a national coalition that will champion authors’ rights, advocate for equitable royalties, and strengthen copyright enforcement across the publishing industry.
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The lecture, which focused on the theme “Beyond the Manuscript: Towards Equitable Royalties and Copyright Structures in Nigeria’s Literary Ecosystem,” brought together writers, publishers, and book promoters from across the country. It was anchored by poet and media specialist Paul T. Liam, with two notable speakers: Odoh Diego Okenyodo, poet, development expert, founder of Isu Media Ltd and CEO of Akweya TV Limited; and Richard Mammah, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Difference newspaper, as well as the Founding President of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP).
Participants drawn from organisations such as Poets in Nigeria (PIN), Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation, Literary Authors Cooperative (LITACO), Fahimta Literary Discourse, and The Discourse, engaged in a spirited discussion on the state of Nigeria’s literary ecosystem. The dialogue revealed deep concerns about the fragile nature of the publishing sector and the lack of a coherent framework to ensure that authors receive fair compensation for their creative work. Speakers and participants agreed that, despite the global recognition of Nigerian literature, many writers continue to suffer from poor remuneration, weak copyright protection, and a lack of transparency in royalty systems.
At the end of the lecture, the participants reached a unanimous decision to form a collective body that will serve as a unified platform for advocacy and reform within the literary industry. The new body will work to strengthen copyright enforcement for authors and publishers, promote transparent and equitable royalty systems, and push for policy reforms that align Nigeria’s literary practices with international standards. Central to this vision is the plan to establish a collecting society—similar to the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), which protects musicians—to manage and enforce the rights of literary creators. It is named the Literary Collecting Society of Nigeria (LITCOSON).
An interim steering committee has been constituted to guide the formation of this new entity. The committee will be jointly led by Richard Mammah, Odoh Diego Okenyodo, and Awele Ilusanmi, founder of the Literary Authors Cooperative (LITACO). Their immediate mandate includes developing the operational structure for the collective, engaging with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), and collaborating with both national and international partners to ensure the initiative’s success.
In the coming months, the group plans to convene a National Roundtable on Literary Rights and Royalties before the end of 2025, where key stakeholders will deliberate on the details of the reform process. They will also draft a framework document to guide the establishment of the Literary Collecting Society of Nigeria (LITCOSON) and seek formal recognition and licensing from the NCC. Furthermore, awareness campaigns will be launched to educate authors and publishers about their rights and responsibilities under the emerging structure.
According to the communiqué signed by Eriata Oribhabor, founder of Poets in Nigeria, this initiative marks the beginning of a new era of professionalism, fairness, and sustainability in Nigeria’s literary landscape. The creation of the collective represents a unified commitment to ensuring that creativity in Nigeria is not only celebrated but also properly rewarded. By standing together, writers, publishers, and book promoters are laying the foundation for a literary future where the intellectual labour of authors receives the value and protection it deserves.
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