Stand With Writers: Stop Book Theft in Nigeria

What are you raising money for?

We are raising funds to strengthen Better Life for Authors & Publishers of Nigeria (BLAPAN)’s national mission to combat book piracy and protect the Nigerian literary ecosystem. Piracy drains over $200 million from the economy every year, depriving authors and publishers of their income, discouraging creativity, and weakening the future of Nigerian literature. These funds will support legal enforcement, policy advocacy, and targeted actions against piracy networks, ensuring that offenders are held accountable and authors' intellectual rights are truly defended. Your contribution will also fund sustained nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate readers, schools, and book markets about the dangers and consequences of piracy. In addition, it will help provide operational resources—such as technology tools, administrative support, safe reporting channels, and structured monitoring systems—to enable efficient anti-piracy interventions. We will equip BLAPAN volunteers and officers with essential training and safety resources, given the risks associated with confronting organised piracy groups. Support services will also be made available to authors and publishers who suffer financial and emotional distress due to illegal reproduction of their work. By donating, you are empowering Nigerian authors, upholding the integrity of creative labour, and ensuring a future where literature thrives, knowledge is respected, and young writers can aspire without fear of exploitation. Together, we will defend the value of Nigerian stories and secure a sustainable future for our book industry.

Why are you raising the funds?

We are raising these funds to urgently empower Better Life for Authors & Publishers of Nigeria (BLAPAN) to combat the escalating book piracy crisis in Nigeria. The scale of piracy has reached a dangerous tipping point, costing the nation billions of naira annually, destroying the livelihoods of authors and publishers, and eroding the value of intellectual labour. Many writers struggle for years to create important works, only to see them stolen, reproduced illegally, and sold cheaply with no accountability. This does not only weakens individual careers—it threatens the future of our literary heritage, discourages young writers, and diminishes the integrity of knowledge production in the country. At this critical stage, BLAPAN is transitioning from foundational advocacy to full operational engagement. As a newly formalised national body, we must build the structural capacity required to enforce intellectual property rights, support victims of piracy, run nationwide awareness and education programmes, and collaborate meaningfully with law enforcement and legal stakeholders. Without adequate funding now, our ability to respond decisively will be limited, and the momentum gained since our formal registration and inauguration may be lost. This funding is therefore essential to establish a strong, sustainable anti-piracy framework, equip field officers and volunteers, develop reporting and monitoring systems, and provide legal and emotional support to affected authors. Investing at this moment means protecting Nigeria’s creative economy, preserving our literary legacy, and ensuring that writers, publishers, and cultural workers operate in an environment where their labour is respected and rewarded.

What will the funds raised help achieve?

The funds raised will enable Better Life for Authors & Publishers of Nigeria (BLAPAN) to build a robust, sustainable framework to combat book piracy in Nigeria. With adequate financial support, we will strengthen legal enforcement by pursuing cases against piracy networks, supporting authors whose works are stolen, and working closely with relevant government agencies to ensure real consequences for offenders. Funding will also support public education campaigns to change attitudes toward piracy, increase awareness in schools and communities, and promote ethical reading and publishing practices. In addition, the funds will allow us to develop digital systems for monitoring, reporting, and documenting piracy cases nationwide. This includes creating safe and accessible channels for authors and the public to report illegal activities. We will also provide structured training, safety support, and operational tools for field officers and volunteers who often face risks when confronting organised piracy groups. By strengthening our organisational capacity—administration, communication, research, and stakeholder engagement—BLAPAN will be able to operate more efficiently and expand its reach across all regions of the country. Authors affected by piracy will have access to advisory, emotional, and legal support, empowering them to protect their creative labour. Ultimately, these funds will contribute to restoring dignity and respect for intellectual property, revitalising the Nigerian publishing sector, and encouraging writers to continue producing high-quality literature. The long-term impact will be a healthier creative economy, better protection for literary content, and a cultural environment where talent is rewarded, creativity is valued, and the future of Nigerian literature is secured.