The Federal Government says piracy takes about 70 per cent of the revenue that should reach Nigeria’s film industry each year.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi made the claim at the National Seminar on Copyright, Cybersecurity and Nigeria’s Creative and Digital Economy in Abuja on Monday, 28 September 2026.
The seminar, organised by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, produced a proposal for an Abuja Copyright Action Plan. The plan will bring copyright officials, security agencies, telecom operators, internet service providers, digital platforms and rights owners into a coordinated anti-piracy framework. 
What the proposed plan will target
The government wants the framework to support:
- Faster, lawful takedowns of infringing content.
- Domain blocking where the law allows it.
- Real-time information sharing between agencies.
- Technology for detecting illegal uploads and distribution.
- Clear responsibilities and deadlines for participating institutions.
Fagbemi said online piracy now operates through illegal streaming platforms, pirate websites and other digital services that can distribute content across borders within seconds.
“Online piracy cannot be tackled effectively by copyright enforcement authorities operating in isolation,” he said.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission said it had intensified takedowns, domain-blocking operations, arrests and prosecutions. The new plan is intended to connect those efforts with the companies that control internet access, advertising, payments and digital distribution.
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What the plan could mean for filmmakers and viewers
A faster takedown system could help producers respond when films appear online without permission. Better cooperation with platforms could also make it harder for repeat offenders to move from one website to another.
For viewers, the government’s crackdown could improve access to legitimate Nigerian films. The World Intellectual Property Organisation has also warned that pirate platforms can expose users to wider cybersecurity risks.
Enforcement alone will not fix the market. Legal films must remain easy to find, affordable and available on platforms that work reliably in Nigeria. Otherwise, removing one illegal source may not change how audiences search for content.
The proposed plan also needs safeguards. Officials must publish clear rules for blocking websites, protect lawful commentary and licensed content, and provide a process for challenging wrongful removals.
Note: NBG Africa could not independently verify the figure. It should therefore remain attributed to the Federal Government rather than be presented as an audited industry statistics. The figure refers to revenue the government says the Nigerian film market loses to piracy. It does not mean every filmmaker loses exactly 70 per cent of a film’s earnings.
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