From Afrobeats streaming in Lagos to Nollywood films on global platforms, Nigeria’s creativity is everywhere. But the value it generates has not stayed home. At the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva on Monday, the Federal Government declared that era is ending, with new policies, bigger partnerships, and a push to make intellectual property a real driver of jobs, trade, and inclusion, reports Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja.
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive and development-oriented global intellectual property system. In a statement signed by Obilor-Duru Augustina Okechi, Head of Press and PR, FMITI, the country said protecting and commercializing IP is critical to unlocking its creative and innovation potential.
The declaration was made during the Opening Session of the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of Member States of WIPO in Geneva, Switzerland on July 7, 2026. Leading Nigeria’s delegation, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, told delegates that IP must serve as “a living instrument of inclusion.”
She said intellectual property should empower creators, innovators and businesses, not just protect rights on paper. Dr. Oduwole also congratulated WIPO Director General, Daren Tang, on his re-election and reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the statement delivered by South Africa on behalf of the African Group.
The Minister noted that Nigerians have earned global recognition across music, Nollywood, sports, fashion, food, science, literature and technology.
“From Afrobeats to Nollywood, fashion, food, science, literature and technology, Nigerians are globally recognised for their creativity and innovation,” she said.
However, she added that the country is yet to fully capture the economic value from those sector.
“However, not enough of the value generated is flowing into our economy. This is about to change,” Dr. Oduwole declared.
To change that, the Federal Government is rolling out reforms anchored on the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy launched in 2025. She explained that the policy is being driven by an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee which she co-chairs with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
An Inter-Agency Coordination Group has also been set up for technical implementation. Dr. Oduwole appreciated WIPO for its technical support in developing the policy and welcomed DG Tang’s recent visit to Abuja as a milestone in Nigeria-WIPO cooperation.
She disclosed that Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s WIPO Assemblies is the largest ever, drawing stakeholders from both public and private sectors.
The move, she said, demonstrates the nation’s renewed commitment to IP development.
According to her, Nigeria is modernizing its IP registries and advancing the protection of traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge through the Patents Registry. The government is also pursuing legislative reforms and strengthening stakeholder collaboration to improve the ecosystem.
A key focus is MSMEs. Dr. Oduwole announced a strategic collaboration between SMEDAN and the WIPO Nigeria Office to expand IP services for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
She described MSMEs as critical to national economic development and said access to IP tools will help them grow and compete.
The Minister also linked IP to Africa’s trade future. She noted her recent role as Chair of African Ministers responsible for Trade under AfCFTA, with Nigeria serving as Digital Trade Co-Champion.
She called for greater prioritization of IP protection and commercialization across Africa, saying it is essential for industrialization, technology transfer, digital trade and sustainable transformation.
As the WIPO Development Agenda marks 20 years, Dr. Oduwole urged Member States to mainstream development considerations in all committees and norm-setting processes.
“In a fragmenting world, WIPO’s multilateral centrality is a strategic necessity. Nigeria remains firmly committed to building an inclusive, balanced and future-ready global intellectual property ecosystem that leaves no region behind,” she concluded.
