Nigeria Unveils Ambitious IP Reform Drive at Global WIPO Summit

"The Federal Government is repositioning Nigeria's intellectual property ecosystem to ensure innovators, creators and businesses derive greater economic value from their works." Oduwole 

.... Describes intellectual property as "a living instrument of inclusion" capable of empowering creators while accelerating national development.

.... Urges WIPO member states to place greater emphasis on development-focused intellectual property policies, insisting that an inclusive global IP system remains essential to fostering innovation and shared prosperity.

Nigeria has taken its intellectual property reform agenda to the global stage, declaring that stronger protection and commercialization of intellectual property will be central to unlocking the nation's creative economy and driving sustainable economic growth.

Speaking at the opening of the 68th Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the Federal Government was repositioning Nigeria's intellectual property ecosystem to ensure innovators, creators and businesses derive greater economic value from their works.

Leading Nigeria's delegation to the annual gathering, Oduwole described intellectual property as "a living instrument of inclusion" capable of empowering creators while accelerating national development.

She noted that despite Nigeria's global reputation in Afrobeats, Nollywood, fashion, literature, technology, sports and science, the country had yet to maximise the economic returns from its creative and innovation sectors.

"From Afrobeats to Nollywood, fashion, food, science, literature and technology, Nigerians are globally recognised for their creativity and innovation. However, not enough of the value generated is flowing into our economy. This is about to change," the Minister declared.

Oduwole said the government's reform programme is anchored on the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy launched in 2025, with implementation being coordinated by an inter-ministerial steering committee co-chaired by her and the Attorney-General of the Federation, alongside an inter-agency technical implementation group.

She also announced ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria's intellectual property registries, strengthen protection for traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge, pursue legislative reforms and deepen collaboration among key stakeholders.

The Minister disclosed that Nigeria had assembled its largest-ever delegation to the WIPO Assemblies, comprising representatives from both the public and private sectors, reflecting the country's renewed commitment to intellectual property development.

She further announced a partnership between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the WIPO Nigeria Office to improve access to intellectual property services for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Highlighting Africa's broader economic integration agenda, Oduwole said intellectual property would play a critical role in industrialization, technology transfer, digital trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She urged WIPO member states to place greater emphasis on development-focused intellectual property policies, insisting that an inclusive global IP system remains essential to fostering innovation and shared prosperity.

The Minister also congratulated WIPO Director-General Daren Tang on his re-election and reaffirmed Nigeria's support for the African Group's position at the global intellectual property body.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Obilor -Duru Augustina Okechi, Head Press and Public Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment FMITI in Abuja.