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, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR disclosed with the successful launch of the NIPPS in December 2025, the government is energised by the opportunity to move the policy from formulation to action, execution and implementation today.

The implementation of the 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 ensuring 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 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.

Oduwole, used the occasion to commend the efforts of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation (HAGF) and Minister of Justice, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, MDAs, private sector partners, WIPO and others that participated in the stakeholder engagement and will still continue with Technical Working Group on the implementation process.

The inter-Ministerial Steering Committee according to the her, serves as the apex policy coordination and oversight body for the NIPPS implementation. It is also tasked with a role to provide strategic direction and inter-ministerial alignment; approve the National IP Implementation Road map and Implementation milestone; resolve cross ministerial policy and institutional coordination issues, mobilise political and administrative support for delivery and ensure alignment with Nigerian national economic priorities and international commitment including obligations under the AFCFTA Intellectual Property Protocol.

In his remarks, the HAGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN said the 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, it has the potential to drive economic diversification, create jobs, enhance global competitiveness and strengthen our cultural industries.

The HAGF who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, mni said the Inter-Agency Coordination Group (the ICG), 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 the 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, the 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: First, the review and rationalisation of Nigeria’s intellectual property legislation. Second is the ratification of relevant treaties and third is the 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 DG NCC expressed appreciation to the Honourable 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.