Asein, others to implementation national IP policy, strategy

By Editor

THE Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein and representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were inaugurated as members of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and members of the inter-Agency Coordination Group (ICG) for the implementation of the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) at the Bank of Industry, Abuja on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Inaugurating the committee and ICG, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed that with the successful launch of the NIPPS in December 2025, government is energized by the opportunity to move the policy from formulation to action, execution and implementation today. The implementation of NIPPS, she noted, is a national economic reform priority and must be treated with the same urgency and seriousness as other productivity enhancing reforms.

She recalled that five years ago, Nigeria undertook a rigorous and inclusive process to own its IP ecosystem by engaging stakeholders across government, industry, academia and the creative economy to ensure that national priorities aligned with evolving continental and global IP frameworks. It is therefore critical that the hard work behind this policy now translates to meaningful results for Nigerians, she noted. She informed the task of driving swift institutional reforms and delivering tangible benefits to Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, creators, farmers and businesses lies with the implementation committees being inaugurated today.

Minister Oduwole commend the efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, permanent secretaries, directors, MDAs, private sector partners, WIPO and others that participated in the stakeholder engagement and the desire tocontinue with Technical Working Group on the implementation process.

‎Director-General, NCC, Dr. John Asein (right); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba and Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi at the inauguration… in Abuja

The inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, according to Oduwole, serves as the apex policy coordination and oversight body for the NIPPS implementation. It is also tasked with the roles of providing strategic direction and inter-ministerial alignment, approving the National IP Implementation Road map and Implementation milestone, resolving cross ministerial policy and institutional coordination issues, mobilising political and administrative support for delivery and ensuring alignment with Nigerian national economic priorities and international commitment, including obligations under the AFCFTA Intellectual Property Protocol.

In his remarks, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said NIPPS as approved by the Federal Executive Council, provides Nigeria with a comprehensive national framework for transforming creativity, innovation and indigenous knowledge into protected and commercially valuable assets. If properly implemented, he said, it has the potential to drive economic diversification, create jobs, enhance global competitiveness and strengthen Nigeria’s cultural industries.

Mr. Fagbemi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said the Inter-Agency Coordination Group provided for under the policy must be supported by a strong operational arm as a technical sub-group and operational backbone for the implementation. The responsibility of TWG is straightforward but critical: to close the gap between policy ambition and execution. While the ICG will provide strategic alignment and high-level institutional coordination, TWG is expected to serve as the engine room for delivery. Its task is to break down NIPPS priorities into clear workstreams, realistic timelines, costed actions, and measurable outputs that implementing agencies can deliver.

He highlighted a small number of priority areas where early progress is both necessary and achievable which includes the review and rationalisation of Nigeria’s intellectual property legislation, ratification of relevant treaties and immediate follow-through on the Federal Executive Council’s resolution for the establishment of a Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission.

Responding on behalf of the inaugurated TWG, the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, expressed appreciation to the ministers for the honour to serve in the committee while affirming the committee’s commitment to discharge its duties diligently with a sense of commitment to the national duty. He assured that every speech and charge will be taken to act on behalf of everyone as the committee will not disappoint Nigerians and the IP world.

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Collins Nweke and Head, Legal, Mrs. Gladys Isaac-Ojo of the Nigerian Copyright Commission were also inaugurated as members of the Technical Work Group for the implementation of the NIPPS.