The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Nigeria Office, with support from the Japan Patent Office, has launched the IP Labs 2.0 and the IP for Green Innovation Projects. This significant milestone marks a commitment to promoting intellectual property (IP) and sustainable innovation in Nigeria.
The launch event, held recently in Lagos, brought together a diverse audience of innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, students, government officials, research institutes, academia, and dignitaries from both local and international sectors.
Key Highlights from the Event
- WIPO’s Commitment to Innovation: Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, and Mr. Kunihiko Fushimi, Director of the International Classifications and Standards Division at WIPO, emphasized WIPO’s long-standing support for innovation and creativity in Nigeria through IP.
- Government Support for IP: Mr. Tunbosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Ms. Lynda Alpheus, Director of the Lagos Office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, and Mr. Oswald Guobadia, Former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Transformation, expressed their support for IP protection and its role in enabling creators to monetize their innovations.
- IP for Green Innovation: Mr. Nasir Yammama, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Innovation, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of IP for Green Innovation in addressing climate change and creating sustainable solutions.
- Project Overviews: Ms Olaronke Famuyiwa, Program Officer at WIPO Nigeria Office, Mr Bankole Oloruntoba, Team Lead at Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, and Mr Ololade Otayemi, Founder of Orbra Company, provided an overview of the IP Labs 2.0 and IP for Green Innovation projects.
- Panel Discussion: A panel discussion explored the role of intellectual property in building an innovative society for Nigeria, featuring thought leaders from various industries.
The Importance of IP
The event underscored the crucial role of intellectual property in driving innovation, supporting the commercialization of new ideas, and contributing to the development of a robust innovation ecosystem in Nigeria. Panelists emphasized the need for effective IP protection to encourage inventiveness, empower entrepreneurs, and foster sustainable economic growth.
With the successful launch of these projects, WIPO has paved the way for Nigerian innovators to transform their ideas into reality, protect their creations, and contribute to a more sustainable future.