Asein calls for protection of research products of NNPC’s innovative technologies
By Editor
THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has stressed the need for the protection and effective management of innovation technologies and knowledge-based assets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) and other industries in the country’s petrochemical sector. Director-General NCC, Dr. John Asein, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of a 5-day capacity building workshop on Intellectual Property Law and Management for the staff members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s (NNPC) Research Technology and Innovation (RTI) Department, organized by the Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), the training arm of the NCC, in collaboration with the NNPC Academy in Abuja, from November 3 – 7, 2025.
The DG-NCC who was represented by the Director NCA, Mrs. Funmi Adewale, observed that NNPC’s intellectual properties, including new technologies, critical research data, and unique software are critical to its future growth. He emphasized the importance of protecting NNPC’s intellectual assets, including patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, noting that failure to do so would be detrimental to national development and reputation.
According to Dr. Asein, “Protecting these knowledge-based assets is as crucial as protecting your physical infrastructure. You secure your pipelines, your drilling rigs, and your refineries because they are critical to your operations. In the very same way, you must secure your patents for new fuel formulas, your software copyrights for data analysis tools, and your trade secrets for proprietary extraction processes. The risks of not doing so include financial loss, a weakened competitive position, and reputational damage, to mention a few, which are simply too much to ignore.”
Dr. Asein stated that the workshop was aimed at equipping NNPC-RTI staff members with practical knowledge on managing the company’s intellectual assets, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks, and mitigating risks associated with IP infringement; and that it is a significant step in the collaboration between both organizations, towards ensuring that NNPC’s creative and innovative assets are protected and utilized effectively.
Participants at the workshop
While assuring of the commission’s commitment to provide NNPCL with the technical support required to set up a viable IP system, he urged the participants to actively engage the facilitators, ask questions and seek necessary clarifications, noting that they are the guardians of NNPCL’s creativity and innovation.
Meanwhile participants at the workshop in collaboration with the team from NCC reviewed the draft IP Policy submitted by the NCC, aimed at providing a framework for managing NNPCL’s IP assets and ensuring that the company’s innovative legacy is protected. The NCC is to effect observations, contributions and resubmit.
Speaking at the end of the workshop, NNPC Manager, License and Acquisition, Mrs. Mercy Ogbonna, commended the NCC management and team for the knowledge shared with NNPC-RTI Department. She expressed optimism that working with NCC would not only enhance the capacity of NNPCL’s Research, Technology and Innovation Department but also contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s IP ecosystem and national economy. Also, NNNPC’s Programme Coordinator, Mr. Haliru Adamu, also appreciated the NCC team, describing it as a pack of professionals who are highly excellent in coordination and delivery.
The topics covered at the training included: Introduction to IP, Dispute Resolution, Enforcement, Patent and Trademarks Management, Copyright Law and Management, Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Emerging Trends in IP, IP Management and Strategy and Case Studies and Stimulations.
Resource persons at the training were Director PRS, Mr. Collins Nweke; Deputy Director and Head Regulatory and Compliance, Mr. Kunle Olatunji; Assistant Chief Registrar, Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Temitope Ogunbanjo; Principal Partner, Boe Consult Legal Practitioners, Mr. Obi Ezeilo; Principal Partner Alpha-Edge, Mr. Michael Akpan; Partner and Head, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Jackson Etti & Edu RCO Court, Mr. Obafemi Agaba; and others from the NCC.
The high points of the training were: the presentations sessions; questions and answers sessions; the review of the draft IP policy for NNPC Limited; interactive sessions; adoption of the name, The NNPC IP Pioneers for the cohorts and review of the workshop by the participants. At end of the workshop, the participants took time to commend the NCC team of facilitators for their depth of knowledge, professionalism and impeccable style of delivery. They expressed optimism that the workshop is a spring board to developing a robust IP Management team for the NNPC.
