The Nigerian government, together with WIPO, recently conducted a workshop for the ‘validation’ of the draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS).  Attendees included WIPO representatives, IP experts, Nigerian government officials and Nigerian registry officials.

The draft NIPPS sets out certain objectives that are aimed at creating a ‘comprehensive and conducive IP ecosystem in Nigeria, with a view to ensuring that IP leads to national prosperity.’ The objectives include:

  • Improving the legal and institutional frameworks for the protection, administration, management, and enforcement of IP rights.
  • Enhancing the generation and protection of IP rights.
  • Promoting and enabling the commercial exploitation of IP rights, as well as technology transfer.
  • Promoting IP awareness, education and training.

The workshop concluded with a unanimous validation of the draft NIPPS.