Abuja: Stakeholders in the intellectual property subsector have advocated a multi-stakeholder approach towards addressing challenges facing intellectual property in Nigeria. They have also called for increased awareness and education on intellectual property rights. They made the call in Abuja at a report validation workshop organised by the International Center for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) and Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event focused on validating the findings of a seminal study entitled: ‘Stakeholder Perception of Intellectual Property in Nigeria: Mapping Awareness, Attitudes, and Policy Implications.’ Prof. Ngozi Egbuna, Director of ICRITR, stated that the workshop served as a vital mechanism to ensure the report was accurate and relevant in shaping national policy that protects the Nigerian innovation ecosystem. She urged stakeholders to explore the potential of blockchain and other digital tools to enhance transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and combat counterfeiting.
Egbuna suggested strengthening enforcement of intellectual property laws and developing policies that promote innovation and creativity. She highlighted the need for collaboration among government, industry, and academia and emphasized creating an environment that promotes innovation, creativity, and economic growth. Egbuna noted that Nigeria must strike a balance between IP protection and access to knowledge, technology, and innovation.
Sand Mba-Kalu, Executive Director of AITCR, while presenting the report, stressed the need for an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. He emphasized the importance of intellectual property protection, stating that it is a key driver of economic growth and development and must be prioritized in Nigeria. The report highlights limited awareness of intellectual property rights among stakeholders, inadequate enforcement of intellectual property laws, and a need for increased education and training on intellectual property.
Mr. Enoch Moghalu, Deputy Director, Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination (TARC) at the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), commended the study’s comprehensive mapping of IP awareness and attitudes. He called on participants to understand how policy frameworks could be strengthened to foster innovation and protect IP rights. Moghalu noted that NOTAP’s role is to register contracts and agreements dealing with the transfer and acquisition of foreign technology.