The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) Implementation Committees, marking a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s intellectual property ecosystem and translating policy commitments into concrete economic outcomes.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, underscored the government’s determination to move from years of policy formulation to coordinated and results-driven execution across the intellectual property value chain.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, described the inauguration as a clear transition from policy development to action. She said the approval of the NIPPS by the Federal Executive Council followed an extensive consultative process involving government institutions, the private sector, academia, the creative economy and international partners.
According to the minister, the priority now is to ensure that the policy delivers tangible economic value to Nigerians by supporting innovation, enterprise growth, creativity, research and national competitiveness. She stressed that implementation must be practical, coordinated and focused on results.
Dr Oduwole explained that reforms under the NIPPS are expected to translate into updated laws and regulations, modernised institutions, efficient digital systems, stronger enforcement mechanisms and clearer pathways for commercialisation of intellectual property. She emphasised the importance of inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration, noting that the newly inaugurated committees are designed to ensure alignment, accountability and discipline across all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
She added that the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee will provide strategic oversight, policy alignment and political backing, while the Inter-Agency Coordination Group will be responsible for day-to-day technical execution. According to her, the structures are not meant to replace institutional mandates but to ensure that all agencies work together toward shared national objectives. She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to its coordinating role and charged committee members to treat implementation as a national economic reform priority in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who co-chaired the inauguration and was represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, described the event as a shift from policy adoption to structured and accountable delivery.
He said the NIPPS provides a comprehensive framework for transforming creativity, innovation and indigenous knowledge into protected and commercially viable assets, but cautioned that these outcomes would only be achieved through sustained reforms, coordination and technical discipline.
According to him, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group and the Technical Working Group were deliberately established to bridge the gap between policy ambition and execution. While the ICG will ensure institutional alignment, the Technical Working Group is expected to translate policy priorities into concrete actions, timelines and measurable outputs. He urged early progress on the review of intellectual property laws, treaty ratifications and the establishment of a Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission, noting that existing technical work offers opportunities for quick wins.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, described the inauguration as a significant milestone for the country. He noted that effective intellectual property systems globally support industrialisation, trade competitiveness, investment attraction and innovation, adding that Nigeria’s policy was deliberately designed as a whole-of-government framework.
He commended the leadership of the minister and the collaboration of ministries, agencies and stakeholders that delivered the policy, while calling for sustained teamwork and technical commitment during implementation.
On behalf of the Implementation Committees, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr John Asein, gave an acceptance speech, assuring stakeholders of the committees’ collective commitment to diligently discharge their responsibilities and deliver on the objectives of the NIPPS.
The inauguration signals the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that Nigeria’s intellectual property system drives economic diversification, job creation, innovation-led growth and enhanced global competitiveness through coordinated and disciplined implementation.