By Jessica Dogo
Mr Daren Tang, Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), says Nigeria is emerging as a global centre of innovation and creativity.
Tang spoke on Monday in Abuja at the launch of the WIPO Nigeria Office for innovation and policy development.
He said Nigeria should leverage intellectual property (IP) as a tool for economic growth, wealth creation and sustainable development.
According to him, the global economy is increasingly driven by intellectual assets, including patents, trademarks, data, know-how and brands.
“The world we live in today is no longer defined mainly by physical assets but increasingly by intellectual assets.
“Emerging economies are no longer merely consumers of intellectual property; they are now creators and drivers of global innovation,” he said.
Tang said about 24 million IP applications were filed globally in the previous year, reflecting growing innovation activity worldwide.
He noted that countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America now account for about 70 per cent of global IP activity.
He cited India, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Egypt as examples of developing economies advancing rapidly in innovation and IP development.
Tang commended Nigeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, launched in 2025, describing it as a vital framework for innovation.
He said the strategy would strengthen institutions and laws, improve enforcement and support creators, researchers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
According to him, WIPO is committed to working closely with the Nigerian Government to implement the strategy.
He identified six priority areas for collaboration, including IP financing, technology commercialisation, support for creators, youth empowerment, MSME development and capacity building.
Tang said intellectual property assets should increasingly be recognised as collateral to help innovators and technology start-ups access finance.
He stressed the need for universities and research institutions to commercialise research through stronger technology transfer offices and innovation support systems.
According to him, WIPO is supporting the establishment of 14 Technology and Innovation Support Centres across Nigeria.
He said the centres would help researchers and innovators transform ideas into marketable products and services.
Tang also highlighted programmes supporting Nigeria’s creative industry, including WIPO Connect and the Creative Learning and Intellectual Property platform.
He said the initiatives providey tools for copyright management, royalty distribution and intellectual property education.
According to him, WIPO Connect has supported more than 17 collective management organisations across Africa and the Middle East.
He added that the programme had facilitated the distribution of more than 100 million dollars in royalties.
Tang stressed the importance of youth participation in innovation, noting that more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is youthful.
He said initiatives such as the National IP Essay Competition and youth entrepreneurship programmes were helping to nurture young innovators.
He also highlighted support schemes for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Tang said MSMEs accounted for about 96 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and nearly 84 per cent of employment.
“WIPO supported more than 600 Nigerian MSMEs in 2025 through tailored intellectual property advisory and business development programmes,” he said.
He disclosed plans to establish an Intellectual Property for Business Centre with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
According to him, the centre will expand support for entrepreneurs and strengthen business competitiveness.
Tang said more than 16,500 Nigerians had benefited from WIPO Academy training programmes over the past five years.
He added that more than 255 scholarships had been awarded, while over 80 judges received specialised IP training.
He further disclosed that plans were advancing for Nigeria’s first Intellectual Property Training Institute.
According to him, the institute will provide structured training in IP protection, commercialisation, valuation and management.
Tang said the goal was to build an innovation ecosystem capable of driving economic growth, social progress and cultural development.
“The future belongs to countries that can create, protect and commercialise ideas.
“Nigeria has the talent, creativity and energy to become a leading innovation economy,” Tang said.
He commended Nigeria’s hospitality, rich culture and vibrant creative industry.
Tang said the country’s food, music, films, artists and creators continued to shape global culture.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the WIPO Nigeria Office has recorded notable achievements over the past six years.
These include supporting the development and launch of Nigeria’s first National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy.
WIPO has also trained and mentored 100 green innovators through its IP for Green Innovation and IP Labs programmes.
The organisation further empowered more than 50 tertiary students and young professionals through the WIPO National IP Essay Competition. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
