Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious intellectual property (IP) reform agenda at the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, pledged to strengthen IP protection and commercialization to unlock the country’s creative and innovation-driven economy.
Leading Nigeria’s delegation at the opening session on Tuesday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said intellectual property must become “a living instrument of inclusion” that empowers creators, innovators and businesses while driving sustainable economic growth.
The minister noted that although Nigerians have gained global recognition in sectors such as Afrobeats, Nollywood, fashion, food, science, literature and technology, the country has yet to fully harness the economic value generated from these industries.
“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,” she said.
Oduwole highlighted the Federal Government’s implementation of the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy launched in 2025, describing it as a key component of ongoing reforms to modernise Nigeria’s intellectual property ecosystem. She said the policy is being driven by an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee co-chaired with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, supported by an Inter-Agency Coordination Group responsible for technical implementation.
She also commended WIPO for its technical support in developing the policy and welcomed the recent visit of WIPO Director-General Daren Tang to Abuja, describing it as a major step in strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and the global intellectual property body.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s WIPO Assemblies is the country’s largest ever, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors to demonstrate renewed national commitment to intellectual property development.
She said ongoing reforms include the modernisation of intellectual property registries, stronger protection of traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge through the Patents Registry, legislative reforms and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.
Oduwole further announced a strategic partnership between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the WIPO Nigeria Office to improve access to intellectual property services for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
She stressed that intellectual property would play a pivotal role in Africa’s economic integration, industrialisation, technology transfer and digital trade, noting that she recently assumed the position of Chair of African Ministers responsible for Trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, while Nigeria also serves as the Digital Trade Co-Champion under the continental agreement.
Calling for stronger global collaboration, the minister urged WIPO member states to fully integrate development priorities into the organisation’s activities as the WIPO Development Agenda approaches its twentieth anniversary.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting an inclusive, balanced and future-ready global intellectual property system capable of driving innovation and ensuring that no region is left behind.
