Nigeria Inaugurates Committee to Implement National Intellectual Property Policy
The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards transforming its intellectual property landscape with the inauguration of key committees tasked with implementing the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS). This move aims to harness creativity and innovation for economic growth.
Formal Inauguration at Bank of Industry
On Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Bank of Industry in Abuja, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, along with representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), were officially inaugurated. They will serve as members of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and the inter-Agency Coordination Group (ICG) for the NIPPS implementation.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR. She emphasized that with the successful launch of the NIPPS in December 2025, the government is now focused on moving from policy formulation to actionable execution.
National Economic Reform Priority
Dr. Oduwole highlighted that the implementation of the NIPPS is a critical national economic reform priority. It must be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as other productivity-enhancing reforms. She recalled that five years ago, Nigeria engaged in a rigorous and inclusive process to develop its IP ecosystem, involving stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the creative economy.
"It is therefore critical that the hard work behind this policy now translates to meaningful results for Nigerians," she stated. The minister tasked the newly inaugurated committees with driving swift institutional reforms and delivering tangible benefits to innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, creators, farmers, and businesses across the country.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Committees
The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee will serve as the apex policy coordination and oversight body for the NIPPS implementation. Its key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic direction and ensuring inter-ministerial alignment.
- Approving the National IP Implementation Roadmap and monitoring implementation milestones.
- Resolving cross-ministerial policy and institutional coordination issues.
- Mobilizing political and administrative support for delivery.
- Ensuring alignment with Nigerian national economic priorities and international commitments, including obligations under the AFCFTA Intellectual Property Protocol.
Dr. Oduwole commended the efforts of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, MDAs, private sector partners, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for their participation in stakeholder engagements.
Support from the Justice Ministry
In his remarks, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, mni, emphasized the potential of the NIPPS. He noted that if properly implemented, it could drive economic diversification, create jobs, enhance global competitiveness, and strengthen cultural industries.
"The NIPPS provides Nigeria with a comprehensive national framework for transforming creativity, innovation, and indigenous knowledge into protected and commercially valuable assets," he said.
He highlighted the importance of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group (ICG) and its technical sub-group, the Technical Working Group (TWG), which will serve as the operational backbone for implementation. The TWG's responsibility is to close the gap between policy ambition and execution by breaking down NIPPS priorities into clear workstreams, realistic timelines, costed actions, and measurable outputs.
Priority Areas for Early Progress
Mr. Fagbemi outlined several priority areas where early progress is deemed necessary and achievable:
- The review and rationalisation of Nigeria’s intellectual property legislation.
- The ratification of relevant treaties.
- Immediate follow-through on the Federal Executive Council’s resolution for the establishment of a Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission.
Commitment from the Inaugurated Committee
Responding on behalf of the inaugurated Technical Working Group, Dr. John Asein expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He affirmed the committee's commitment to discharging its duties diligently and with a sense of national duty.
"We assure that every speech and charge will be taken to act on behalf of everyone, and the Committee will not disappoint Nigerians and the IP world," he stated.
Additionally, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Collins Nweke, and the Head of Legal, Mrs. Gladys Isaac-Ojo of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, were inaugurated as members of the Technical Working Group for the NIPPS implementation.
This inauguration marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria's efforts to leverage intellectual property as a driver for economic development and innovation, aligning with both national and international frameworks.
