By Priscilla Osaje
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, creativity and respect for Intellectual Property (IP), in line with the national aspiration for economic diversification for national development.
The Director-General of NCC, Dr John Asein, said this at a programme to commemorate the 2026 World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) on Saturday in Abuja.
Asein, who was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, said Nigeria joined the global Intellectual Property (IP) community to celebrate the Day themed “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.”
He described the theme as a call to action for Nigeria to harness the power of IP by unlocking the full potential of its sports, creative and innovative industries into engines of sustainable economic growth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WIPD is celebrated annually on April 26, aimed at raising awareness about how patents, copyright, trademarks, and designs impact daily life.
According to the NCC boss, the day also serves as a platform to raise awareness about how IP rights support creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into valuable assets that drive national growth.
“This year, the IP community is shining light on the theme “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” in order to celebrate the creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs, whose passion and ideas drive the future of sports and highlight how IP drives creativity and innovation across the world of sports.
“From trailblasing equipment, team identities, to broadcasts of unforgettable sporting moments, IP plays a unique role in protecting and promoting the inventions, designs, brands and stories that drive the world of sports, inspire athletes and unite fans everywhere.
“Sports are not just about the game, they intersect with fashion, entertainment, media, health, gaming and artworks.
“IP such as patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights, incentivises innovation enables cross-industry connections with sports, sparking creativity, technological advancement and economic growth,” he said.
The NCC D-G added that the 2026 edition of the Day was to celebrate how creativity and innovation backed by IP rights, keep the world of sports thriving, dynamic and accessible for everyone and everywhere.
According to him, sports today represent a convergence of creativity, technology, and commerce.
“Intellectual property, particularly copyright, lies at the heart of this intersection by protecting live broadcasts and re-broadcasts of sporting events; audio-visual productions and sports-related media content.
“It also include igital and online sports content such as streaming services; artistic and creative expressions linked to sports such as music, logos, and promotional materials.
“Effective protection of these rights ensures that creators, investors, and rights holders are adequately rewarded, thereby fostering continuous innovation and investment in the sports industry,” he said.
The NCC boss also emphasised the commission’s responsibilities for copyright administration, protection, and enforcement in Nigeria.
He reiterated the commission’s steadfast commitment to promoting awareness of the importance of copyright within the sports and creative industries, by combating piracy particularly the unauthorised use and distribution of sports broadcasts and digital content.
He also pledged support for rights holders to maximise the economic value of their works, strengthening collaboration with stakeholders in the sports, media, and technology sectors, as well as encouraging the growth of a vibrant, innovation-driven creative economy.
“This year’s celebration is particularly significant, because it aligns with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), a comprehensive framework designed to leverage IP for national development, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council,” Asein said.
He said further that NIPPS policy aimed to promote economic development, preserve inventions, and defend creators’ and inventors’ rights, as well as designed to transform innovation and creativity into national wealth.
“The NIPPS policy emphasised on strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for IP protection, the commercialisation and monetisation of intellectual property assets, promoting innovation across key sectors.
“These include sports and the creative industries and enhancing awareness and capacity building in IP within the context of sports.
“The policy provides a strategic pathway for harnessing creativity, innovation, and technology to drive economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness,” Asein said.
The NCC boss therefore called on stakeholders in the Nigerian IP ecosystem such as innovators, creatives, researchers, institutions of higher learning, the media and relevant agencies of government to visit the dedicated website of NIPPS, https://ippolicy.ng.
He urged everyone to learn more about the NIPPS, on how to get involved and benefit from the government initiatives espoused in the policy document.
Asein also urged sports organisations, broadcasters, content creators, innovators, investors, policymakers, and the general public to respect and protect intellectual property(IP) rights.
He said by protecting and respecting IP, Nigeria could build a thriving sports ecosystem that not only entertain, but also contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Let us honor the contributions of the creators, inventors and entrepreneurs working behind the scenes to push the boundaries of athletic performance, improve audience experience and bring sports events to every home,” the D-G said.
NAN reports that the event also had staff of NCC engaging in physical exercise and sports (football) designed to enhance physical fitness and health.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
