LAGOS, US PARTNER TO STRENGTHEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION FOR CREATIVES
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The commitment was reiterated by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, while declaring open the three-day “IP for Growth in Africa: Lagos Music Industry Workshop” at the American Corner, Lekki.
The workshop is designed to strengthen intellectual property (IP) frameworks, equip creatives with relevant knowledge and promote sustainable growth in Nigeria’s music industry.
Speaking at the event, Ambrose-Medebem highlighted the economic importance of intellectual property protection, noting that nearly $286 million in recorded music revenue remains uncollected in Nigeria and Kenya, representing lost jobs, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
She described Nigeria’s creative economy as an economic powerhouse, noting that the music industry alone contributes more than N613 billion to the national economy.
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According to her, Lagos remains central to the country’s creative revolution as the entertainment capital of Africa and home to numerous artists, producers, innovators and entrepreneurs exporting Nigerian culture globally.
The Commissioner stressed that talent alone was insufficient to sustain a thriving creative economy, noting the need for clear legal frameworks, effective enforcement mechanisms, accessible education for creators and strong institutions capable of representing Nigerian artists in the global marketplace.
The workshop is the first edition of the “IP for Growth in Africa” series, following discussions convened by the U.S. Mission during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly in Geneva on July 9, 2026. The next edition is scheduled to hold in South Africa in the third week of August.
The Acting Consul General of the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Julia McKay, said the initiative comes at a significant moment as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of its Declaration of Independence.
McKay said the programme demonstrates the U.S. commitment to sharing its intellectual property expertise with African stakeholders, promoting transparent, market-based systems and strengthening partnerships with African creators and policymakers.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, disclosed that Nigeria’s presence on Spotify has grown by 5,000 per cent over the past five years, largely driven by the industry without direct government support.
Asika also highlighted recent policy developments, including the establishment of a unified IP framework involving five ministries, which has received Federal Executive Council approval, as well as the operationalisation of the copyright levy system.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s IP Attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa, Katherine Hiner, further emphasised the economic value of strong IP systems, noting that IP-intensive industries contribute 44 per cent of U.S. GDP and employ 49.6 million people.
Meanwhile, Kolawole Fashola, Vice President of Business Affairs and Technology at The Temple Company, challenged industry stakeholders to focus on converting Nigeria’s vast creative talent into sustainable economic value.
The workshop features sessions on music publishing, digital distribution, licensing, monetisation and practical approaches to intellectual property protection.
Participants include representatives of major American music companies operating in Nigeria, Nigerian industry leaders and emerging talents, with support from the USPTO, WIPO and NCAC.
The initiative will culminate in November, when African creators are expected to return to Geneva to engage with policymakers and government officials attending WIPO’s Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, with the aim of strengthening systems for protecting and sharing value generated by African music and creative works.
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