The Federal Government said it is stepping up efforts to protect intellectual property and expand Nigeria’s role in the global knowledge economy, ahead of the opening of the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s first Sub-Saharan Africa office in Abuja.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang will visit Nigeria from June 1 for a three-day working trip that will end with the inauguration of the Abuja office, the only WIPO office in Sub-Saharan Africa. Officials said the move signals recognition of Nigeria’s influence in Africa’s creative and innovation sectors.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the government is committed to strengthening IP protection and creating opportunities for Nigerian innovators and creators. She noted that the country’s creative sector, including music, film, fashion, and technology, should derive greater economic value from its global reach.
The announcement comes amid concerns over piracy and weak IP enforcement, which officials say cost Nigerian creators billions annually despite the global success of Nollywood and Afrobeats. Analysts say a permanent WIPO presence could improve enforcement, modernise regulatory systems, and support local innovators seeking international markets.
WIPO has already supported the digitalisation of Nigeria’s trademarks and patents registry through the Industrial Property Automation System. The government said it is now seeking broader collaboration on technical assistance, youth empowerment, and commercialisation of cultural assets.
WIPO Nigeria Office Director Oluwatobilola Moody said the organisation is working toward a more inclusive IP system for small businesses, women, and young innovators, and is adapting global frameworks to address emerging technologies like generative AI.
The visit is expected to bring together government officials, diplomats, and stakeholders from business and the creative industry.
