Copyright Commission seeks NANTAP’s partnership to strengthen performers’ rights — Guardian Arts — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

• Artistes Need To Understand Legal Framework Protecting Them — Eboh
• ED of NFVCB, Husseini, Others Honoured With Fellow Of Theatre Profession Award

It was a thrilling end to the week-long National Delegates Convention (NDC) of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), last Saturday, February 22.

NANTAP is the umbrella body of theatre and allied arts practitioners across Nigeria registered in 1990 under the Land Perpetual Succession Act of 196D, cap 68, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, to regulate the practice and oversee the welfare of practitioners.

Over the years, the association has through its engagement with the government and relevant institutions, advocacy policies, and capacity-building programs help move theater practice from being a mere hobby to a robust profession creating jobs and career fulfilment for millions of young Nigerians, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP, as well as promoting the image of Nigeria across the globe.

With 27 chapters across the country, NANTAP has in its over 34 years of existence, positively impacted the Nigerian entertainment sector through its many local, national, regional, and international collaborations.

One of such partnerships with the International Theatre Institute (ITI), Paris, in 1991, brought Nigeria into the global celebration of the World Theatre Day (WTD) or International Theatre Day (ITD) on March 27, which today, is a significant part of the country’s culture calendar.

NANTAP’s affiliations and collaborations with global cultural institutions like International Theatre Institute(IT), International Federation of Actors (FIA), Ford Foundation, McArthur Foundation, NACA and the EU/ECOWAS Creative Service Sector Trade Treaty has seen Nigeria hosting several regional and sub-regional sector workshops and conferences.

Tagged Eko 2024, the convention, held across multiple venues, including the National Theatre, Glover Memorial Hall, Freedom Park, and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, was resurgence in the appreciation of theatre art practice.

It was themed, “Theatre, Politics and National Development.”

At this year’s convention, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) assured the theatre body of its readiness to work with it to strengthen performers’ rights protection under the Copyright Laws.

Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein, who gave the keynote at the convention, said strengthening the performers’ rights protection was needed to address the challenges confronting different categories of performers in the digital age.

Recognising the role of theatre practitioners, their contributions to the rise of Nollywood and place in the creative ecosystem, however, noted that some categories of performers were not included in the most recent copyright protection law designed in 2022.

According to him, the commission was not aware of some exceptions and infringements then.
He said this is the reason NANTAP’s effort would be required to strengthen the performers’ rights protection.

“There are new areas that are maturing, and this calls for joint action. The commission will be happy to work with the executive of NANTAP through a technical committee.

“This is to strengthen performers’ rights protection, identify gaps in the value chain, and address them through administrative and legislative actions.

“The team will also look into developing strategies for copyright education and training for service providers as well as theatre arts departments in our schools.

“There is a need to address emerging trends and create legal frameworks to safeguard performers in the digital age, create a more constructive role for theatre practitioners within the copyright ecosystem.

“The team will also look at activating the provisions on the protection of expressions of folklore and work together to ensure the protection and growth of our creative industry,” he said.

He noted that with the rise of new digital platforms, collaborations, and globalised distribution, the intersection of intellectual property and performing arts would continue to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for artistes.

Asein said that as part of the call to action, the commission would develop the outcome of the session into a publication on “Copyright and Theatre Arts”.

He explained that this would be a tribute to two Nigerians who greatly influenced the emergence of performer’s rights in Nigeria.

“These are Dr Sylvester Agbaje-Williams, a theatre enthusiast and key contributor to our modern copyright system; and Chief Hubert Ogunde, the father of Nigerian theatre, who advocated the inclusion of performers’ rights in the Copyright Act in 1988,” he said.

Also, Director, NCC Lagos office, Mrs Lynda Alphaeus, said the present copyright law could compete favourably with world practises but unfortunately artistes had failed to internalise the content for their use.

She said, “The 2022 Copyright laws have made provision for the protection of works on the social media space. It allows NCC to set up dispute resolution panels to resolve copyright infringement cases.

“The new copyright laws now allows artistes to register their works with NCC to tackle issues of ownership, this will ensure further protection of individuals’ intellectual works.”

Alphaeus advised the artistes to take their time to read and understand the laws to be able to apply it.

Dorcas Odunaike, a Professor of Law, Babcock University, harped on the need for Nigerians to be reorientated on every aspect of the Copyright laws.

The influence of theatre in shaping national identity was further reinforced by Ireland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, who commended NANTAP for keeping the spirit of Nigerian theatre alive.

Ryan, who was initially scheduled to interrogate Eko 2024 theme, “Theatre, Politics and National Development”, commended NANTAP for its role in sustaining and evolving Nigeria’s theatre sector.

Represented by Aduke Gomez, Ryan highlighted the historical connection between theatre and nation-building, using Ireland as an example.

As a result of British colonisation, the Irish Gaelic culture (including folklore, mythology, sports, music, arts, etc.) almost went into extinction. Irish had diminished as a spoken tongue, remaining the main daily language only in isolated rural areas, with English having become the dominant language in the majority of Ireland.

Concern for spoken Irish led to the formation of the Society for the Preservation of the Irish Language in 1876, and the Gaelic Union in 1880. The latter produced the Gaelic Journal. Irish traditional sports were fostered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, founded in 1884.

The Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre, was founded in 1904, through the efforts of writers who were committed to a revival like George Bernard Shaw, Isabella Augusta (Lady Gregory), the folklorist and theatre manager, who with William Butler Yeats and Edward Martyn, co-founded the Irish Literary Theatre; George Moore and John Millington Synge, another giant of Irish culture.

Synge was a major figure in the Irish Literary Revival and architect of Irish Theatre Nationalism . He wrote some of the most famous and significant Irish plays – The Playboy of the Western World; In the Shadow of the Glen and Riders to the Sea.

“Abbey Theatre played a major role in shaping national consciousness. Similarly, Nigerian theatre has the power to challenge, inspire, and drive national development,” he said.

He encouraged Nigerian theatre practitioners to continue using their craft to reshape the national narrative and advocate for social change.

NANTAP President, Mr. Israel Eboh, whose tenure ended this year after seven years of service, stressed the importance of artists understanding the legal framework that protects them. “One of my major concerns is the intellectual laziness among performers,” he said. “How many of us truly understand the laws that govern our profession? Many artists sign contracts without reading the terms, and some even perform without contracts at all. We must do better.”

Eboh further noted that theatre has historically held a mirror to society, shaping ideologies, questioning power structures, and fueling revolutions. 

“Whether in ancient Greece or contemporary Nigeria, theatre has always been at the forefront of shaping discourse,” he added.

Aside from the discussions and panel sessions on the performers’ rights, the audience were thrilled by magical performances by StarKids Academy and performers from various academies.

“I think the problem with practitioners has to do with intellectual laziness. It is unfortunate. How much of the laws we know do we apply to the work we do? We need a change,” he said.

At the convention, Adeniran Makinde, a former chairman of the Lagos chapter, emerged the new President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
He is the eight president of the association, whose first was Mahmud Ali-Balogun. Other past presidents include, Richard Mofe Damijo, Peter Tade Adekunle, Kester Biodun Abe, Gregory Muyiwa Odutayo, Babatunde Obalana and Israel Eboh.

Also elected to run the affairs of the association alongside Adeniran are:
Deputy President, Oluwaseun Odukoya; Secretary General, Dr. Abiodun Olayiwola; Asst. Sec/Finance, Omolola Adamu; Director Publicity, Victor Nwokocha; Director Finance, Dr. Lucy Iseyen; Director of Business, Agba-Anyim Godwin; Director Production & Screening, Charles Nwaokolo and Chief Whip, Alex Akpuh.

According to the highly elated Adeniran, his emergence is an opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of NANTAP.

“This election is a testament to our collective dedication to the advancement of theatre and the creative industry in Nigeria,” he said, as he accepted the mandate, the arts sector in Nigeria faces many hurdles—limited funding, policy neglect, dwindling opportunities, and the urgent need for stronger institutional support. These challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable.

“We must be the change, and ensure that our contributions to society are recognised and respected. We will engage policymakers, forge strategic partnerships, and create sustainable opportunities for practitioners across all levels.

“This journey requires the collective effort of every member of NANTAP. I call on you to join with me in shaping a stronger, more vibrant association. Let us move beyond individual ambitions and embrace the spirit of collaboration, for it is only in unity that we will find strength.

“Together, we will elevate theatre arts in Nigeria to greater heights.

“As we embark on this journey, I pledge to lead with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of our profession. The road ahead will not be easy, but with determination and the support of each and every one of you, we will not only overcome our challenges—we will thrive. Thank you for this honour. Let us get to work.”

The tasks before Adeniran’s administration include, but not limited to funding, policy neglect, dwindling opportunities, and the urgent need for stronger institutional support.

The new administration must ensure that it has a home of its own. Its needs a permanent home of its own, revive the Wole Soyinka Library and the Festival of Nigerian Arts (FESTINA).

With more theatre houses and performance centres opening up, more collaborations are needed, especially the kind that birthed this year’s National Delegate Convention.

Adeniran first assignment is the World (International) Theatre Day and it should be an opportunity to begin his rejigging process.

The high point of the convention was the gala night and awards ceremony attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre and film industries including the General Manager of National Theatre, Tola Akerele; culture activist and programme chair of Coalition For Relevant Arts (CORA), Jahman Anikulapo; Chairman of the Body of Fellows of NANTAP, Prof Duro Oni; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTAP, Ali-Balogun, veteran actor, Norbert Young and the veteran actress, Joke Silva Jacobs who was honoured at the event.

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