Panel Discussion Report & Key Highlights
On Thursday, 17th July 2025, the Nigeria Maritime University Library, Okerenkoko, Delta State, hosted a one-hour hybrid panel discussion titled ‘Creative Commons Licenses: Opportunities & Concerns‘. The event was held via Zoom to accommodate a broader virtual audience comprising academics, librarians, students, faculty and open access advocates.
Opening Presentation by the University Librarian
The session began with a comprehensive presentation by the University Librarian, Dr. Fatimah Jibril Abduldayan. Her presentation provided an in-depth overview of copyright and Creative Commons licensing, highlighting the importance of understanding the types of licenses, their intended uses, and the level of permissions they grant for reuse, modification, and distribution. She demonstrated how Creative Commons licenses empower creators to openly share their works while retaining recognition and control over their intellectual property.
Dr. Abduldayan also delved into the emerging intersection between Creative Commons licensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She raised pertinent questions around ownership, licensing AI-generated content, and the ethical implications of machine learning models trained using openly licensed materials. Her presentation emphasised the need for institutions to actively address policy gaps in this space.
Panel Discussion and Expert Contributions
Following the opening presentation, Dr. Abduldayan moderated an engaging panel discussion featuring four distinguished professionals. Each panelist was asked two questions touching on different dimensions of the theme. The panel session was interactive and well-paced, providing attendees with a rounded understanding of Creative Commons from academic, legal, technological, and policy perspectives.
Professor Tolumye Tuaweri, the DVC Academic and Director Academic Planning NMU, spoke on the extent to which Nigerian institutions are currently adopting Creative Commons licences. He highlighted the growing awareness within academic circles and advocated for the integration of these licences into institutional publishing policies and academic frameworks. Dr Omorogieva Osakpolor Marvellous, discussed the empowering role of Creative Commons in promoting Open Access, both locally and globally. He recommended long-term strategies such as sustained advocacy, curriculum integration, and institutional collaborations to embed a culture of open knowledge sharing. Dr. Richard Osadume, Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Maritime and Interdisciplinary Researchers, emphasised the significance of Creative Commons licensing for academic publishing and creative output in Nigeria. He addressed existing institutional and legal barriers to adoption, including inadequate policy structures and limited awareness, and called for reforms to ensure broader implementation. Mr Mark Terhile Orjime from the Biology Department NMU, explored the implications of Artificial Intelligence in relation to Creative Commons licensing, particularly concerning the ethical use and reuse of content. He underscored the need for a clearly defined national policy to guide AI-related content practices and to promote responsible licensing across the scholarly landscape.
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Audience Interaction and Q&A
The audience engaged actively throughout the session using the chat box. Several questions focused on the compatibility of Creative Commons with institutional repositories, AI attribution, and legal protections for Nigerian researchers. Martha Tizhe and Mr. Tega played support roles by monitoring the chat, reading questions aloud, and assisting with transitions between segments.
Closing Remarks
The University Librarian gave the closing remarks, thanking the panelists, moderator, and participants for a successful and thought-provoking session. She encouraged all attendees to reflect on the importance of Creative Commons in promoting academic openness and to champion awareness within their institutions. Martha remained on standby as co-host and support facilitator throughout the event.
Key Highlights and Takeaways
- Creative Commons licenses offer flexible legal tools for sharing scholarly and creative works.
- AI introduces new layers of complexity in copyright and attribution that require updated licensing norms.
- Nigerian institutions must embrace CC as part of academic best practices and policy reforms.
- Libraries should take a leading role in training and advocacy for open licensing.
Conclusion
The NMU Library panel discussion on Creative Commons was a timely and impactful initiative. It successfully raised critical awareness on the use and implications of Creative Commons licenses, particularly within the Nigerian academic context. The contributions of the panelists, the clarity of the moderator, and the active participation of the audience all combined to make the event a model of intellectual engagement and digital collaboration. The NMU Library reaffirmed its commitment to supporting knowledge openness, digital literacy, and ethical content use across its platforms and networks.