Guidelines for developing a framework for access to knowledge in Nigeria

This chapter provides guidelines that may be used in the development of Nigeria’s open access to knowledge framework, as well as drafts that may be adopted by government, academic institutions and private organizations for purposes of implementing initiatives that may lead to access to knowledge. In providing these guidelines, the importance of licensing is underscored as a central theme that would run through all the frameworks. It then examines each of the initiatives, that is, open access, public sector information and open educational resources. It also examines an international treaty option using the Access to Knowledge draft Treaty as its case study. This chapter provides guidelines that may be used in the development of Nigeria's open access to knowledge framework, as well as drafts that may be adopted by government, academic institutions and private organizations for purposes of implementing initiatives that may lead to access to knowledge. In providing these guidelines, the importance of licensing is underscored as a central theme that would run through all the frameworks. The chapter examines each of the initiatives, that is, open access, public sector information and open educational resources. It also examines an international treaty option using the Access to Knowledge draft Treaty as its case study. The chapter discusses the option of adopting an international treaty pathway for the development of an open access to knowledge framework in Nigeria. It explores general and special factors to consider and provides draft guidelines to aid in developing an open access to knowledge framework.