Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has unveiled the Federal Government’s plan to officially launch the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy later this month.
She made the announcement on Tuesday (July 1) at the Afreximbank Intra-African Trade Fair 2025, marking a major step toward protecting the intellectual efforts of Nigerian innovators and creators. The initiative also aims to strengthen the country’s trade and creative economy and improve its position in global trade.
Dr. Oduwole emphasized that intellectual property goes beyond protection—it serves as a strategic engine for trade. She stated, “As we mobilise our IP ecosystem, we are strengthening the backbone of licensing, royalties, franchising, and digital content export.”
The policy directly addresses long-standing challenges such as piracy and intellectual property theft, which have held back Nigeria’s vibrant creative, tech, and innovation sectors.
By implementing strong legal protections for original works and inventions, the strategy seeks to ignite innovation, reduce financial risks for creators, and unlock significant new revenue streams.
A central goal of the policy is to elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global digital content market by strategically leveraging its growing creative economy as a powerful trade frontier.
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This initiative aligns with broader economic objectives, including boosting creative exports and fully integrating Nigeria into key African trade frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Key ministries—including Industry, Trade and Investment; Culture and Creative Economy; Justice; and Health and Social Welfare—collaborated to develop the policy, demonstrating a unified government approach.
This inter-ministerial effort underscores the government’s strong commitment to protecting intellectual capital and driving sustainable economic growth through innovation and creativity.
The policy is expected to deliver several benefits, including:
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Reducing piracy and intellectual property theft, creating a safer environment for creators.
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Encouraging the commercialisation of creative works and inventions, increasing income opportunities.
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Strengthening licensing and royalty systems to ensure fair compensation for creators.
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Enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the creative and digital economy.
The upcoming launch follows extensive consultations and rigorous validation to ensure the policy meets international best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique needs.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy promises to transform the country’s creative landscape. It aims to champion creative rights, spark innovation, and position Nigeria as a global leader in the knowledge and digital economies—driving growth across the creative sector and beyond.
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