The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially commenced the execution of its recently approved National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS). This significant move was marked by the inauguration of a high-level Technical Working Group (TWG) in Abuja over the past weekend.
From Policy to Action: The Implementation Framework
This inauguration signals the crucial shift from the policy's formulation phase to active implementation. The NIPPS was originally launched in December 2025. The newly formed team, which includes the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, and representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), will serve a dual role.
They will act as members of both the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group (ICG) for the NIPPS. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized the critical nature of this initiative. She described the NIPPS implementation as a national economic reform priority that requires urgent and effective action to deliver real benefits to Nigerian creators, innovators, and business owners.
She further explained that the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee will be responsible for policy coordination, providing strategic direction, and overseeing the entire implementation process. This includes ensuring the policy aligns with Nigeria's broader economic goals and its international commitments under the AfCFTA Intellectual Property Protocol.
The Operational Backbone and Key Priority Areas
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, provided details on the operational structure. While the ICG will handle high-level coordination, the Technical Working Group (TWG) is designated as the "engine room" for delivery.
Its core task is to translate the broad policy goals into concrete, actionable programs with clear timelines and measurable outcomes. The Attorney-General outlined three immediate priority areas where the government expects swift progress:
- A comprehensive review and rationalisation of Nigeria's existing intellectual property laws.
- The ratification of relevant international treaties.
- Immediate action on the Federal Executive Council's resolution to establish a Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission.
He stated that the NIPPS offers a complete framework for turning creativity, indigenous knowledge, and innovation into protected assets that can drive economic diversification and create jobs.
Commitment from the Implementation Team
In his response, Dr. John Asein, speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated TWG, pledged the committee's full dedication to executing its duties diligently and in the national interest. He assured stakeholders that the committee is committed to meeting the expectations of Nigerians and the global intellectual property community.
Other notable figures inaugurated into the Technical Work Group include Mr. Collins Nweke, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the NCC, and Mrs. Gladys Isaac-Ojo, the Head of Legal at the Commission. Their inclusion underscores the multidisciplinary approach required for the policy's success.
