In a bid to pursue the objectives of the law, enthrone an enabling environment for creativity to thrive and meet the many challenges of the copyright system, the Commission has conceptualised a number of projects that are on- going and requires sponsorship.The Commission hereby solicits for and invites international donor organizations, countries, public-spirited individuals, socially responsible corporate citizens and non-governmental organizations to sponsor any of these projects. The projects are as hereunder explained:

Documentation of Nigerian Indigenous Folklore Resources
Administration of expressions of Nigerian folklore is one of the mandates of Nigerian Copyright Commission. Folklore is a group-oriented and tradition- based creations of group or individuals reflecting the expressions of the community as an adequate expression of its cultural and social identity, its standards and values .It comprises of folktale /poetry, folk music, folk dances and productions of folk arts (such as drawings, paintings, carvings, pottery, costumes, indigenous textiles, metal ware, terracotta, woodwork, etc).
As a prelude to effective administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Nigerian Copyright Act on expressions of folklore, the Commission has initiated the “Documentation of Nigerian Indigenous Folklore Resources”. This project when completed will not only provide a source of revenue to both Government and the local communities but will also ensure the preservation of Nigerian vital artistic and cultural heritage.
Given the size and cultural diversity of Nigeria , this project is to be executed in phases over a number of years. Three states, namely, Rivers, Kogi, and Nassarawa, out of the 36 states of Nigeria have been selected both as the first phase and as the pilot scheme. The project will be carried to other states of the Nigerian Federation when the first phase is completed.

Documentation of National Works
Experience has shown that to attract prospective investors and creators of works in the copyright industry as well as to ensure greater benefit of the copyright system to the nation, a databank of authors and their works should exist. The “Documentation of the National Works” was envisaged to be a comprehensive compilation of Nigerian authors and their works, to facilitate the identification, classification and monitoring of the use of Nigerian works by both domestic and foreign interests. Researchers, members of the academia and existing as well as prospective investors in Nigerian works will also find this project useful.

Survey on the Contribution of Copyright-Based Industry to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria
Nigeria undoubtedly has enormous copyright-based industry but regrettably the real value of the industry to the gross domestic product of the nation has not been meaningfully determined. This is unlike in some other countries where the contribution of the industry can be stated in facts and figures. It is on this basis that the Commission has come up with the project on the “Contribution of Copyright –Based Industry to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.
The survey will form the basis for the formulation of viable economic polices touching on the copyright law and administration .It will further enable the Commission to re-invigorate the copyright industry to make it more attractive to existing and prospective investors in the industry for overall national growth.
This project envisaged to cover the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, will be done in phases and Lagos State has been chosen both as the first phase and as a pilot scheme.

Documentation of Ethno- Musical Works in the Music Libraries of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
The copyright system legally confers on author(s) and owner(s) of creative work the exclusive right to authorize the utilization of their work. The idea is that creators of the work in which copyright subsist should share in the earnings derived from the use of their work while also protecting the integrity of the right owners. However, owners of especially ethno-musical works have not been benefiting meaningfully from the provisions of the law. It is in the light of the above that the Commission initiated a project on the “Documentation of Ethno-Musical Works in the Music Libraries of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria ”. This project was conceptualised to enhance the enforcement of the rights subsisting in such works for the benefits of authors, recognize the efforts of the nation’s pioneering musicians, forestall scarce titles from going extinct and assure artistes that their efforts are taken cognizance of thus encouraging more creation of good music.
The documentation is expected to be done in phases covering the FRCN stations in the former Eastern, Western and Northern regions of Nigeria . Accordingly, FRCN Enugu has been chosen as the first phase while FRCN Ibadan and Kaduna as the second and third phases respectively.

The Schools and Youth Project
The dearth of knowledge about copyright has long been pinpointed as being responsible for incidence of piracy. Thus many right owners as well as users of creative works do not know their rights and obligations under the copyright law. The Nigerian Copyright Commission as part of its determination to disseminate copyright knowledge to all strata of the Nigerian society came up with “Schools and Youth Project” and under this project copyright clubs have been established in some Nigerian secondary schools. The very first of the club was inaugurated in Queen’s College Lagos on November 4,1998 and today the copyright club has been established in different secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna and Lagos states.
By focusing on the youths as the future owners and users of copyright works, the copyright club is designed to: acquaint the youths with basic knowledge of copyright and its importance; encourage creativity amongst students in secondary schools; engage the students’ leisure productively through debates, essay competition and quizzes on copyright and related topics; inculcate in students the values of sound copyright practices and respect for copyright; generate a cross fertilization of ideas during club meetings , inter-club debates and visits to copyright based industries; and revitalize as well as sustain Nigerian cultural heritage
The club members are invited to the Commission’s organized programmes and creativity related competition has been put in place among club members .In view of the increasing number of the copyright club, the Commission requires external funding to strengthen and deepen the gains of this programme.

Public Enlightenment Campaign
Experience has shown that no matter how comprehensive a law might be, people need to be conversant with the law and its dynamics. This is particularly true if the law must elicit massive support from the members of the society and enable an effortless compliance. The Commission aware of this and without prejudice to its aggressive enforcement drives has engaged in intensive public enlightenment campaign to enlighten all strata of the Nigerian society on the law and administration of copyright.
Accordingly, the Commission organizes symposia, workshops, and seminars on copyright for the benefits of the general public. Specialized copyright training has also been put together for law enforcement agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service and law court judges. In addition, copyright information are disseminated to the members of the public through the print and electronic media.
However, the rising cost of these public enlightenment campaigns has reached a stage that the Commission require financial assistance if it must maintain the tempo of this vital campaign.

National Copyright Institute
The National Copyright Institute was established in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation as a research and training facility for the development of copyright law and administration in the African Sub-region. The institute is therefore devoted to capacity building and expected to act as a think tank for the evaluation of policy options and emerging initiatives on copyright. Lack of accommodation and other infrastructure has frustrated the physical take – off of the project. The Commission requires external funding to facilitate the physical take-off of this project.
   For more information on how you can sponsor any of these projects:
   Call: +234-09-2223032 or Tele-fax: +234-09-2223033 or Post to PMB 406 Garki, Abuja , Nigeria