John Asein
Nigerian lawyer and consultant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John O. Asein is a Nigerian lawyer, author and consultant. He is currently the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, reappointed 12 January 2023.[1][2][3]
University of Lagos, University of Abuja
University of New Hampshire School of LawDr. John Asein | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Alma mater | University of Calabar
University of Lagos, University of Abuja University of New Hampshire School of Law |
| Occupations | Lawyer, author, consultant |
| Organization | Nigerian Copyright Commission World Intellectual Property Organization |
Early life and education
In 1984, he obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Calabar, graduating as the overall best. In 1992, he earned a master's degree from University of Lagos, and an additional master's degree in Intellectual Property from the Franklin Pierce Law Center, United States, in 1997. He further obtained a doctorate degree in Intellectual Property from the University of Abuja.[4][5]
Career
Asein coordinates the project for the Ford Foundation/NCC study of piracy in Nigeria. This is in addition to his role as a consultant to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). In 1995, he served in the UNESCO African Regional Committee for the teaching of copyright at the university level. He is a scholar and research fellow to several international institutions including the Max- Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law, Germany.[4]
He was appointed as Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission in 2019,[5] and reappointed in 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari.[3]
In commemoration of the World Book Day 2025, he urged for an increased partnership and collaboration to boost Nigeria's reading culture.[1] Over the years, he has continued to advocate and support trainings on law and copyright policy, and its enforcement in Nigeria.[2][6] In 2021, he tasked the appointed copyright ambassadors to uphold innovation and creativity.[7]