Sanwo-Olu piracy warning highlights the economic threat piracy poses to Africa’s growing entertainment industry at AMVCA 2026

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for a united and uncompromising fight against piracy in Africa’s entertainment industry, warning that intellectual property theft could severely damage the continent’s fast-growing creative economy.

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The warning was delivered during the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held in Lagos, according to a statement issued by the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, John Asein, and made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Ijeoma Egbunike.

Addressing filmmakers, actors, producers, directors and other creative professionals at the event, Sanwo-Olu said the impressive achievements recorded by Africa’s entertainment sector could be undermined if piracy was allowed to flourish.

The governor noted that Africa’s growing global influence in film, music and digital content would amount to little if creators continued to lose the economic rewards of their work to copyright theft.

“All of the great work you are all doing will amount to nothing if we let piracy take shine out of all of this,” Sanwo-Olu said while acknowledging the expanding international reach of African creative content.

The Lagos governor further lamented that piracy continues to drain industry revenue, discourage investment and weaken the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Sanwo-Olu said Africa’s creative industry is powered by exceptional talent, creativity and intellectual capacity, stressing that creators must fully benefit from the wealth generated through their work.

“We need to kill piracy in whatever form, shape, because we want you all to be economically sound, have the full benefit, as well as full economic benefit of your sweat,” the governor added.

Earlier, Asein reinforced the urgent need for stronger collaboration against piracy and copyright abuse across the continent.

The NCC director-general warned that piracy threatens not only creativity but also the livelihoods of professionals whose talents drive the entertainment industry.

Asein reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Copyright Commission to protecting creators and strengthening creative enterprise, adding that the most powerful defence against piracy remains collective respect for copyright laws.