NCC Stresses Critical Need to Protect NNPC's Innovation Assets
The Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, has emphasized the urgent need for robust protection and effective management of innovative technologies and knowledge-based assets belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and other players in the country's petrochemical sector. This crucial declaration came during a significant five-day capacity building workshop held in Abuja from November 3rd to 7th, 2025.
Capacity Building for Intellectual Property Guardians
Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the NCC, highlighted the vital importance of securing NNPC's intellectual properties, which include new technologies, critical research data, and unique software. He stated that these assets are fundamental to the company's future growth and competitiveness. Represented by the Director of the Nigerian Copyright Academy, NCA, Mrs. Funmi Adewale, Dr. Asein warned that failure to protect these assets would be detrimental to both national development and Nigeria's international reputation.
He drew a powerful analogy for the participants, noting, "Protecting these knowledge-based assets is as crucial as protecting your physical infrastructure. You secure your pipelines, your drilling rigs, and your refineries because they are critical to your operations. In the very same way, you must secure your patents for new fuel formulas, your software copyrights for data analysis tools, and your trade secrets for proprietary extraction processes."
The NCC DG further elaborated on the severe risks of inaction, which include significant financial loss, a weakened competitive position, and reputational damage. The workshop, organized by the NCA in collaboration with the NNPC Academy, was specifically designed to equip staff from NNPC's Research, Technology, and Innovation, RTI, Department with practical knowledge for managing the company's intellectual assets.
Collaborative Steps Towards a Robust IP Framework
A key objective of the training was to mitigate risks associated with IP infringement. Dr. Asein assured the NNPCL of the Commission's commitment to providing the necessary technical support to establish a viable intellectual property system. He urged the participants to actively engage, describing them as the essential guardians of NNPCL's creativity and innovation.
A significant milestone of the event was the collaborative review of a draft Intellectual Property Policy submitted by the NCC. This policy is aimed at providing a structured framework for managing NNPCL's IP assets and ensuring the company's innovative legacy is preserved. The NCC is set to incorporate observations and contributions from the workshop before resubmitting the document.
The workshop covered a comprehensive range of topics to build a strong IP management foundation, including:
- Introduction to Intellectual Property
- Patent and Trademarks Management
- Copyright Law and Management
- Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
- IP Dispute Resolution and Enforcement
- Emerging Trends in IP
Feedback from NNPC officials was overwhelmingly positive. Mrs. Mercy Ogbonna, NNPC Manager for License and Acquisition, commended the NCC team for the knowledge shared, expressing optimism that the collaboration would enhance the capacity of the RTI Department and contribute to the growth of Nigeria's IP ecosystem and national economy.
Similarly, the NNPCL Programme Coordinator, Mr. Haliru Adamu, praised the NCC facilitators for their high level of professionalism and excellent delivery. Participants, who adopted the name "The NNPC IP Pioneers," lauded the depth of knowledge and impeccable style of the NCC team, viewing the workshop as a springboard for developing a robust IP management team within the NNPC.
