By Vivian Emoni
The Federal Government says Nigeria has unveiled reforms to strengthen its intellectual property ecosystem aimed at unlocking innovation, supporting creators and driving sustainable economic development.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this in a statement by Mrs Augustina Duru-Obilor, Head, Press and Public Relations of the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.
Oduwole spoke during the opening of the 68th Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva.
The minister, who led Nigeria’s delegation, said intellectual property should serve as a tool for inclusion by empowering creators, innovators and businesses.
She said Nigerians had gained global recognition in music, film, fashion, food, science, literature and technology.
She said that the country had yet to maximise the economic value generated from these creative and innovative sectors.
According to her, the Federal Government is implementing the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy launched in 2025 to strengthen Nigeria’s intellectual property ecosystem.
“An Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, co-chaired with the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is overseeing the implementation of the policy.
“Also, an Inter-Agency Coordination Group is providing technical support to ensure effective implementation of the strategy,” she said.
The minister thanked WIPO for supporting the development of the policy.
She said Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 WIPO assemblies was the country’s largest, reflecting renewed commitment to intellectual property development.
Oduwole said the government was modernising intellectual property registries and strengthening protection for traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge.
She said that Nigeria was also pursuing legislative reforms and improving collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the intellectual property ecosystem.
She announced a partnership between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the WIPO Nigeria Office.
According to her, the collaboration will expand access to intellectual property services for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to enhance their contribution to economic growth.
Oduwole said intellectual property remained critical to Africa’s industrialisation, technology transfer, digital trade and sustainable economic transformation.
She urged African countries to prioritise intellectual property protection and commercialisation to support continental economic integration.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building an inclusive, balanced and future-ready global intellectual property system that benefits all regions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman