The WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO) as part of activities to round off the visit of the Director-General, World Intellectual Property Organisation, Dr. Daren Tang to Nigeria, held a Creative Sector Engagement, an evening session themed – ‘Making IP Work for Creators in Africa: From Rights Protection to Real Economic Value’ at the UN House, Abuja on Tuesday 2nd June 2026.
The session which had in attendance representatives from the various IP Offices in Nigeria, IP experts, Stakeholders from the various sectors in the Creative Industry, officials of Collective Management Organisations, the Management team of the Commission and IP enthusiasts was held in collaboration with the NCC.
Addressing stakeholders during the interactive session, the DG WIPO emphasised the need to restructure the IP system to empower rather than exploit while stressing the importance of inclusivity in IP policies. Noting the growing confidence of Nigeria as a cultural powerhouse with the innovation ecosystem and the renewable strategy of the current administration he said ‘’we must set up to transform IP as a catalyst for jobs, investments, development and prosperity with every sense of inclusivity’’.
Dr. Tang while discussing the transformative role of IP in Africa’s creative sector, highlighted Nigeria’s cultural influence in Afrobeat and Nollywood and their global impact with amazing 3000 startups and seven unicorns which are potentials for transforming the IP system.
He expressed the goal of solidifying and concretising the relationship between Nigeria and WIPO focusing on inclusive IP that supports economic empowerment and SMEs.
Commenting on the role of IP in promoting unity among African countries, the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hanatu Musawa, Esq, who was a special guest in the discussion segment anchored by veteran Journalist and Arts and Culture Advocate, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, underscored the potential of the creative industry to bridge cultural and linguistic differences in Africa.
Mrs. Musawa while discussing on the importance of proper structures and policies leveraging IP in the creative industry to foster unity and collaboration, highlighted the role of the government in creating a stand-alone Ministry for the creative industry and the benefits of this structure to the youth.
She called for cross-ministerial collaboration in IP policies and unified approach in pushing for regional cooperation in the creative industry.
Highlights of the engagement session was the music performance by the FCT School for the Blind Children, presentation of Plaque and Arts works as sourvenirs to the DG WIPO by the Director-General, NCC, Dr. John Asein and networking among creative industry stakeholders.
Courtesy: Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)
