The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights as the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Daren Tang, prepare for a three-day working visit to Nigeria beginning June 1.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this in Abuja while receiving the Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, Oluwatobilola Moody, and his delegation during a briefing on the agency’s activities and the planned visit of the WIPO chief.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria recognises the importance of intellectual property protection in promoting innovation, creativity and economic growth, stressing that WIPO plays a vital role in helping innovators and creators take their ideas safely to the global market.
She noted that Nigeria hosts the first and only WIPO office in Sub-Saharan Africa, describing the development as a major opportunity for the country, particularly for young people in the creative industry.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s growing influence in music, film, fashion and other creative sectors should benefit significantly from the presence of the agency’s office in Abuja.
“You talked about Nigeria’s soft power in the creative industry; I expect that hosting the office here in Abuja means there should be a whole lot of openings for young Nigerians,” she said.
The minister also called for increased technical assistance programmes through the WIPO Nigeria Office to strengthen local capacity and support the commercialisation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage for economic development.
Speaking earlier, Moody disclosed that the WIPO Director General would officially inaugurate the organisation’s Abuja office during the visit.
He explained that WIPO has shifted toward a more inclusive intellectual property system that supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women and young innovators.
Moody added that the organisation is also focusing on adapting intellectual property systems to emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence while ensuring that innovation continues to support human creativity.
He assured that Nigerian creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs would continue to benefit from WIPO programmes and initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities within the global intellectual property ecosystem.
