The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) Implementation Committees, marking a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and translating policy commitments into concrete economic outcomes.
The inauguration, which took place in Abuja, signaled a transition from policy formulation to coordinated execution following the approval of the NIPPS by the Federal Executive Council.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the inauguration represents a decisive move from years of consultations and planning to focused implementation. She explained that the NIPPS was developed through extensive engagement with government institutions, the private sector, academia, the creative industry and international partners.
According to the minister, the priority for government is to ensure that the policy delivers tangible economic value by supporting innovation, enterprise growth, creativity, research and national competitiveness. She stressed that implementation must be practical, coordinated and results-oriented, adding that reforms should lead to updated laws and regulations, modernised institutions, efficient digital systems, improved enforcement and stronger pathways for commercialisation.
Dr. Oduwole highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration, noting that the newly inaugurated committees were designed to ensure alignment, accountability and discipline across relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies. She explained that the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee will provide strategic oversight and policy alignment, while the Inter-Agency Coordination Group will handle day-to-day technical execution.
“These structures are not substitutes for institutional responsibility but mechanisms to ensure that all agencies move together toward shared national objectives,” she said, reaffirming the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to its coordinating role. She also charged committee members to treat the implementation of the NIPPS as a national economic reform priority in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who co-chaired the inauguration and was represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, described the event as a shift from policy adoption to structured and accountable delivery.
He noted that the NIPPS provided a comprehensive framework for transforming creativity, innovation and indigenous knowledge into protected and commercially viable assets, but cautioned that these benefits would only be realised through sustained reforms, strong coordination and technical discipline. He explained that the Inter-Agency Coordination Group and the Technical Working Group were established to bridge the gap between policy ambition and execution.
Mr. Fagbemi urged early progress on priority areas, including the review of intellectual property laws, treaty ratifications and follow-through on the establishment of a Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission, adding that existing technical work provides a solid foundation for early gains.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, described the inauguration as a significant milestone for the country. He noted that effective intellectual property systems globally support industrialisation, trade competitiveness, investment attraction and innovation, and said Nigeria’s policy was deliberately designed as a whole-of-government framework.
Ambassador Rimi commended the leadership of the minister and the collaboration among ministries, agencies and stakeholders that led to the successful development of the policy, while calling for sustained teamwork and technical commitment during implementation.
Speaking on behalf of the Implementation Committees, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, reaffirmed the collective commitment of members to diligently discharge their responsibilities. He assured stakeholders that the committees would work collaboratively to translate the objectives of the NIPPS into measurable and impactful outcomes.
The inauguration underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to position intellectual property as a key driver of economic diversification, job creation, innovation-led growth and global competitiveness through coordinated and disciplined implementation.
