Nigerian Creatives Vulnerable to Exploitation Due to Poor Legal Awareness, Experts Warn

The Nigerian creative sector, a vibrant engine of culture and economy, faces a persistent threat from inadequate legal awareness. This issue, highlighted by legal practitioners and industry insiders during a recent webinar, leaves artists and content creators exposed to exploitation, financial losses, and unnecessary conflicts. The core problem, as articulated by Onu Oden Shammah, lies in a widespread lack of understanding regarding copyright, ownership, and the associated rights. This knowledge deficit inadvertently leads to creatives surrendering control over their work and forfeits potential earnings.

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a significant number of creatives lack a clear understanding of ownership, authorship, and the economic and moral rights attached to their works.

Omotayo G. Abiode stressed the need for a proactive approach to intellectual property, viewing it as a critical asset requiring deliberate protection and commercialization. From a business standpoint, Sodamola Tolulope urged a transition from informal artistic pursuits to structured business entities, emphasizing the importance of branding. Furthermore, Professor Olajide Olagunju advocated for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like mediation and arbitration as effective means to resolve industry-specific conflicts.

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creatives to adopt a more strategic approach to intellectual property, describing it as a valuable asset that must be deliberately protected and commercially managed.

This situation underscores a critical need for accessible legal education and support systems tailored to the creative industry. Empowering creatives with this knowledge is not just about protecting their rights; it's about fostering a sustainable and thriving sector that can fully realize its economic and cultural potential. The discussions at the webinar signal a growing recognition within Nigeria that strengthening the legal framework is paramount to safeguarding and advancing the nation's creative talent.

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emphasised the importance of branding and structure, encouraging creatives to evolve from informal artistic practice into organised business entities.