Experts seek development of IP policy to drive innovation in Nigeria
Experts in intellectual property (IP) law have called on the federal government to develop and implement an IP policy to drive innovation across Nigeria.
This call is coming at a time when innovation has risen in Nigeria but there are still no laws or policies to protect intellectual property, which has impacted negatively on creativity and innovation.
Speaking during an event organised by the Intellectual Property (IP) committee of the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in collaboration with the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria, (IPLAN) and the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration of Nigeria (ACC) to mark the world intellectual property day held in Lagos, Afam Nwokedi, Chairman of the NBA-SBL Intellectual Property committee, said that this is the right time for Nigeria to set up a policy to cater for intellectual property as innovations have continued to push boundaries of possibilities and create new capabilities.
“Extraordinary new ideas and innovation are created every day to improve lives and make our existence better.
“That is why at this year’s celebration, we are looking at how some of the world’s extraordinary innovations have solved global challenges and how intellectual property laws support innovation by rewarding creators and encouraging them to develop new ideas would be explored,” Nwokedi added.
He said that for Nigeria to attain global standards with regards to innovation and creativity, it must develop an intellectual property policy, which in the long run will reward creativity and encourage innovators to develop new ideas that can change the society for the better.
Also speaking during the event, Justin Chuma Anosike, President, International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) said, “We are trying as much as possible to enhance better legislations such that enforcements are stronger and we will discourage as much as possible any issue of counterfeiting within the Nigerian space.
“Counterfeiting discourages innovations even within the country and robs people of their income. We also collaborate with stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to ensure that we disrupt all forms of counterfeiting.”
Anosike explained that globally Nigerians are one of the superior innovators but the systems within the Nigerian space is discouraging a lot of things such as Nigeria not having laws that can protect innovations.
“We need to get Nigerians aware so that Nigerians know where it exists so they can go for it. Within the space we are constrained by so many factors but Nigerians still excel. We need to give people the confidence to innovate and give them the assurance that their innovations will not be stolen away. Lives will improve and consumers will get better served when intellectual properties are protected within our spaces,” he said.
Speaking about the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC), Opeyemi Desmond Adeola, Chairman of the organisation, stated that the role of the ACC was to serve the Nigerian people; carrying out activities to deter counterfeiting of all goods and services in Nigeria.
Otu Ukoyen, Secretary, Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria, (IPLAN) said IPLAN was founded to foster the legal framework for the administration of intellectual and industrial property in Nigeria.
Ukoyen said for Nigeria to achieve diversification, there must first be innovation in all sectors of the economy. “Our core objective is therefore to work with the relevant ministries to improve the current legislation for protection of intellectual properties. We are currently in touch with the minister for Trade to try and see what can be done to improve the processes, trademarks and patents,” he disclosed.
Lara Kayode, representative of Kayode & Co. Intellectual Property Lawyers also pointed out that Nigeria has a lot of innovators but if these innovations are not sure of getting adequate protection here, they are going to be sold somewhere else.
Kayode recalled that the National Yam Pounder idea was developed in Nigeria but there was no funding and it was taken somewhere else and it was sold back to Nigeria. She therefore suggested that Nigeria can improve its local innovators and inventors.
IFEOMA OKEKE