Ministry to Unveil Intellectual Property Policy in Major Boost for Creative Industry

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy has announced that it will launch an Intellectual Property (IP) Policy within the next four weeks.

The Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa made this known on Arise Tv on, during an interview on the programme, Prime Time, a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nkem Anibeze, stated.

Musawa said that the policy which is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, will revolutionise the protection and promotion of Nigeria’s creative industry.

“One of the things that we knew was very important was to set up a regulatory and legal framework. We didn’t have a proper policy framework that could protect or support people or creators within the sector, so, we are  working on an intellectual property policy which is completely foundational and there is  an inter-ministerial committee that has been set up for that purpose.

“The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment and I  are driving that particular policy and hopefully, within the next three to four weeks, that should be done.  We are  working together with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), to also come up with an updated version of  our culture policy that will be in line with the yearnings and the nuances of today.

“We are committed to empowering our creatives and unlocking the full potential of our creative industry. This IP policy will be a major milestone in our journey towards becoming a global creative hub,” Musawa stated.

The policy, when finalised is expected to provide a robust framework for the protection of intellectual property rights, fostering a conducive environment for creativity and innovation to thrive.

It will include clear guidelines for IP protection and enforcement, support for creatives to commercialize their work, support for collaboration between Nigerian and international creatives and fostering  innovation and entrepreneurship, the statement said.

According to the ministry, with international partnerships in place as cited in the ministry’s eight-point agenda, including collaborations with the WIPO, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in intellectual property protection.

The ministry, Musawa stated, has also engaged with local stakeholders, including creatives, industry experts, and legal professionals, to ensure the policy meets the needs of the Nigerian creative community.

The launch of the IP policy is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s creative industry, attracting investment, creating jobs, and promoting cultural exchange.