FG Reaffirms Commitment to Intellectual Property Protection as WIPO DG Set for Nigeria Visit

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights in Nigeria as the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, Daren Tang, prepares to begin a three-day working visit to the country on June 1.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this while receiving the Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, Oluwatobilola Moody, and his delegation in Abuja ahead of the visit.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister, the WIPO Director General is expected to inaugurate the agency’s Abuja office during the visit.

Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria remained committed to protecting intellectual property and creating an enabling environment for innovators, creators and entrepreneurs to thrive.

She described WIPO as a critical global institution that helps innovators and creators safeguard their ideas and intellectual assets across borders while also providing a platform for addressing emerging issues in intellectual property rights.

The minister noted that Nigeria hosts the first and only WIPO office in Sub-Saharan Africa, describing it as a major opportunity for the country’s growing creative and innovation ecosystem.

She said the presence of the agency in Abuja should create more opportunities for young Nigerians, especially those in the creative industry, technology and entrepreneurship sectors.

“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,” the minister said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for increased technical assistance programmes through the WIPO Nigeria office to strengthen local capacity and promote the commercialisation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage for economic development.

The minister further highlighted ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and WIPO in modernising the country’s intellectual property administration systems, particularly through the digitalisation of trademarks and patent registries using the Industrial Property Automation System.

Earlier, Moody disclosed that the visiting WIPO Director General would officially inaugurate the organisation’s Abuja office and engage stakeholders on expanding intellectual property awareness and inclusion.

He said WIPO had shifted towards a more inclusive intellectual property framework aimed at supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women and young innovators.

According to him, the organisation is also prioritising the adaptation of intellectual property systems to emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence while ensuring that innovation continues to support human creativity.

Moody assured that Nigerian creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs would continue to benefit from WIPO programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation and economic growth.