Arts and Culture Ministry to unveil intellectual property policy in 30 days
By Tosin Brown
The Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy has announced plans to launch an Intellectual Property (IP) Policy within 30 days.
This was revealed by the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time program.
Musawa stated that the policy, which is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, will revolutionize the protection and promotion of Nigeria’s creative industry.
In her words, “One of the critical things we identified was the need to establish a regulatory and legal framework. We didn’t have a robust policy that could effectively protect or support creators within the sector. As a result, we are working on an Intellectual Property policy that is completely foundational. An inter-ministerial committee has been established for that purpose.
“The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment and I are spearheading this policy, and hopefully, it will be finalized within the next three to four weeks. We are collaborating with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to also develop an updated culture policy that aligns with current trends and demands.
“We are committed to empowering our creatives and unlocking the full potential of our creative industry. This IP policy will be a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a global creative hub.”
According to Musawa, the finalized policy is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for the protection of intellectual property rights, fostering a conducive environment for creativity and innovation to flourish. It will include clear guidelines for IP protection and enforcement, support for creatives to commercialize their work, and encourage collaboration between Nigerian and international creatives, while also fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
With international partnerships, as outlined in the ministry’s eight-point agenda, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in intellectual property protection. Musawa also noted that the ministry has 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.
