The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at transforming the nation’s intellectual property (IP) into tangible economic assets.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, WIPO Director-General Daren Tang, and top government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima said Nigeria is committed to building an intellectual property system that serves inventors, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, artistes, industrialists, farmers, and software engineers alike.
He welcomed WIPO’s decision to establish its first office in Abuja, describing it as the organisation’s first office in Sub-Saharan Africa and one of only seven worldwide.
The Vice President recalled that the Federal Executive Council approved the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) in November 2025 to provide a comprehensive framework for the development, protection, promotion, management, and commercialisation of intellectual property in Nigeria.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that modern economic growth is increasingly driven by ideas, innovation, technology, culture, brands, and knowledge. He noted that the administration is focused on creating an environment where innovation is protected, disputes are resolved with confidence, and intellectual assets can be converted into wealth.
Shettima expressed optimism that stronger collaboration with WIPO would lead to enhanced technical cooperation, institutional support, capacity-building, and practical pathways for commercialising Nigerian creativity and research.
He also directed the Ministers of Justice, Industry, Trade and Investment, and Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to develop a roadmap for deeper engagement with WIPO.
Earlier, WIPO Director-General Daren Tang described his visit to Nigeria as significant, citing the opening of the organisation’s Abuja office and the launch of Nigeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy as major milestones.
Tang said the new office reflects WIPO’s confidence in Nigeria’s potential, noting that Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators are already making a global impact and leading Africa’s intellectual property revolution.
He commended the Tinubu administration for developing the National IP Strategy and expressed confidence that Nigeria’s intellectual property ecosystem would continue to drive economic empowerment and job creation.
The WIPO chief further disclosed that more than 3,000 Nigerian startups, including seven unicorns, are attracting substantial investment, demonstrating the growing role of intellectual property in emerging economies.
Also speaking, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the visit underscored the strengthening partnership between Nigeria and WIPO. He noted that a robust legal and institutional framework is essential to sustaining innovation and positioning Nigeria as a leading intellectual property hub in Africa.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to partnering with WIPO to create jobs and unlock opportunities within the creative sector.
Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said ongoing engagements between Nigeria and WIPO, including the inauguration of the Abuja office, reflect the Tinubu administration’s commitment to intellectual property policy, trade, investment, and the growth of the creative economy.
