FG Commits To Intellectual Property Protection Ahead Of WIPO DG’s Visit

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intellectual property protection as the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang, is expected in Nigeria on June 1 for a three-day working visit.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance while receiving the Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, Mr. Oluwatobilola Moody, and his delegation during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, the Minister said Nigeria remains committed to creating an enabling environment for innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs to protect and commercialize their intellectual property for national development.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu described WIPO as a critical global institution that promotes innovation and creativity by ensuring that ideas and inventions are protected across borders.

She emphasised the need for increased public awareness on intellectual property rights, particularly among young Nigerians in the creative industry, noting that Nigeria’s growing influence in music, film, fashion, and digital content stands to benefit from hosting the first and only WIPO office in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Minister added that the presence of the organisation in Abuja would create more opportunities for Nigerian youths, innovators, and creative entrepreneurs.

She also called for expanded technical assistance programmes from WIPO to strengthen local capacity and support the commercialization of Nigeria’s cultural heritage for economic growth.

Earlier, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, Mr. Oluwatobilola Moody, disclosed that the WIPO Director General would officially inaugurate the organisation’s office in Abuja during the visit.

According to Moody, WIPO is adopting a more inclusive approach aimed at making intellectual property more accessible to micro, small and medium enterprises, women, and young innovators.

He explained that the organisation is also prioritizing emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence to ensure intellectual property systems continue to support human creativity and innovation.

Nigeria currently hosts the only WIPO office in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the agency supporting the digitalisation of trademark and patent registration processes through the Industrial Property Automation System to improve transparency and efficiency.

Uju Oparaji, Edited By Grace Namiji