By Palma Ileye
Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Unit, has called for increased participation of organised labour in efforts to protect creative workers, strengthen intellectual property rights and promote Nigeria’s creative industry.
The call was made at the 2026 annual seminar of the NCSU NCC Unit held yesterday in Abuja, with the theme, “The Labour Movement as a Valuable Tool in the Protection and Promotion of the Creative Industry in Nigeria.”
Chairman of the NCC Unit, Comrade Emeka Ngene, said the seminar was designed to deepen understanding of the relationship between organised labour, the Commission and the creative sector, particularly as the Federal Government continues to identify the creative industry as an important area of national development.
Ngene said the seminar would also strengthen workers’ capacity to engage management on welfare, working conditions and broader partnerships with government agencies and organisations involved in the creative sector.
He commended the NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asein, for his support for staff welfare, citing allowances already paid to workers and the approval of a job-specific allowance expected to commence in October 2026.
Representing the Director-General, Deputy Director and Head of Human Resource Management Department, Mr. Sunday Popoola, said the management would continue to support legitimate union activities while ensuring fairness among the various staff associations within the Commission.
Popoola, however, stressed that improved staff welfare must be matched by productivity and professionalism, urging workers to remain responsive to stakeholders and mindful that members of the public are the ultimate beneficiaries of the Commission’s services.
He said the labour movement remained an important partner in ensuring that workers in the creative industry benefit from the sector’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s economy.
The resource person, Assistant General Secretary, Federal Council, NCSU, Comrade Yildet Bigwan, urged workers to understand the distinction between workplace rights and privileges, noting that while rights should be pursued through established labour mechanisms, privileges often require negotiation and diplomacy.
Bigwan also emphasised the need for clearly defined duties and responsibilities in the workplace, saying organised labour must help ensure that employers comply with relevant labour standards.
Addressing the seminar theme, he called for wider public education on copyright and intellectual property rights, particularly among creators, artisans and workers in the creative sector.
He said stronger labour structures in the industry could help improve remuneration and working conditions, promote written contracts, reduce exploitation, expand social protection and strengthen occupational health and safety.
Bigwan further called for greater collaboration between the NCC, organised labour, creative associations and other stakeholders, stressing that copyright protection would be more effective when workers and creators understand their rights and available mechanisms for protecting their intellectual property.
The seminar recommended increased awareness of labour rights, flexible union structures, written employment contracts, stronger collaboration among unions and creative organisations, improved social protection for workers in non-standard employment, and continuous intellectual property training.
The event also featured a question-and-answer session, meet-and-greet, entertainment and refreshments, with NCSU members at the NCC headquarters attending physically and members from various State Commands participating virtually.
