The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has urged students to embrace creativity and innovation through sports as part of activities marking the 2026 World Intellectual Property Day.
The NCC State Coordinator in Kano, Mr Sani Ahmad, made the call at Farmland International School during the 2026 Intellectual Property Day event.
He said the commission’s mandate was to protect creative works and promote innovation for economic and social development.
According to him, “We are here to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day with the school authorities to promote creativity and innovation.
“Sports is a unifying factor that brings people together regardless of their differences,” he said.
Ahmad added that it was important to identify and nurture children’s talents early to enable them to pursue their ambitions.
He advised students to remain committed to their academic activities and also develop their skills in sports and other creative endeavours.
The coordinator also warned against piracy, describing it as a major threat to creativity and national development.
“Piracy kills creativity. Parents should ensure they buy original materials so that creators can benefit from their work and contribute to economic growth.
“The commission has strengthened enforcement measures to tackle piracy,” he said.
Ahmad also appealed to parents and guardians to patronise genuine books and educational materials to support authors and publishers.
He disclosed that between January 2025 and date, the commission had arrested 35 piracy suspects, out of which 11 cases had been taken to court for prosecution.
“The remaining cases are ongoing as we continue investigations to gather sufficient evidence and witnesses,” he said.
