No better person could have been chosen to deliver the 2025 COSON Lecture than the eminent legal and political mind, Babatunde Ogala SAN. This became apparent at the packed COSON House Arena in Ikeja this Monday, May 26 2025, as Hon. Ogala dealt with the Lecture’s subject: “THE POLITICAL & LEGAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE NIGERIAN CREATIVE INDUSTRY”, from every direction. He discussed the history, the current situation, and what he believes is the way forward.
The lecturer whose presentation, received a standing ovation, showed his hands-on understanding of the subject from the legal perspective, the political perspective and the perspective of someone who has had a close relationship with the industry, having made significant personal investment in Nigeria’s creative industry.
The presentation was followed by very hot dissection of the lecture by distinguished discussants led by Prof Duro Oni, former DG of the Center for Black & African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC), retired professor of Creative Arts and former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos.
The other discussants were Dr. Shaibu Hussein, Executive Director, National Film & Video Censors Board who also represented the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. There was also Hon Jese Okey Joe Onuakalusi, activist lawyer & Hon Member, House of Representatives.
Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, was represented by the Permanent Secretary in her ministry, Mr Olarenwaju Bajulaiye.
It was fire for fire as nobody nor subject was spared at the lecture, masterfully coordinated by COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji. Both the lecturer and all the discussants identified the Nigerian creative industry as the future of the nation and told Nigerian creatives to be bold and take the future into their own hands.
In her goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa who was Special Guest of Honour at the 2025 COSON Lecture, said:
“It is a great honour and privilege for me to be part of this important gathering — the 2025 COSON Lecture — an event that has become a pivotal platform for shaping conversations around the protection, promotion, and prosperity of Nigeria’s creative and cultural economy. Let me begin by commending the leadership of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) for their tireless advocacy in safeguarding the rights of our creatives.
“Your commitment to protecting the intellectual property and earnings of Nigerian musicians, composers, and other content creators is an invaluable service to our nation. Through your work, you have consistently amplified the voices of our creative talents and contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our country.
“This lecture’s focus could not be timelier. As we continue to position the creative sector as a key driver in our national economic diversification strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the issue of intellectual property rights, fair compensation, and the welfare of our creatives remains at the heart of our policies and interventions”.
It is not debatable that all participants in the Nigerian creative industry, including artistes, administrators, legislators and lawyers, need to get a copy of the 2025 COSON Lecture, study it and imbibe it for the journey towards a more robust creative economy for our nation.
With the quality of the minds that have consistently gathered at each of the lectures, the COSON Lecture series has easily become Nigeria’s most sought-after event for the discussion of creativity, content, and developments in the new global knowledge economy and the continued growth of the very important Nigerian creative industry.
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