The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for the inclusion of intellectual property (IP) education in the curricula of Nigerian tertiary institutions to strengthen awareness and protection of IP rights among students.
Dr. John Asein, Director-General of the NCC, made the appeal during a meeting with winners of the 2025 WIPO Nigeria National Essay Competition in Abuja. The meeting provided an opportunity for the students to present policy recommendations and gain a practical understanding of the commission’s statutory operations.
According to Dr. Asein, embedding IP modules in general studies and specialized courses would equip students across disciplines—from fine arts to business and sciences—with the knowledge to protect their creative and innovative outputs. “This is not about creating a full degree in IP, but ensuring that students understand their rights and the value of IP in their respective fields,” he explained.
He further highlighted the economic and legal implications of neglecting IP education: artists risk having their works exploited, businesses may lose control over trademarks and branding, and inventors could be deprived of rightful compensation for innovations.
The NCC has also developed simplified IP materials for students, lecturers, and other stakeholders to promote understanding and compliance. In 2021, the commission collaborated with the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) to develop a Model IP Policy, which has been reissued to encourage adoption across institutions.
Dr. Asein urged universities to incorporate the WIPO Distance Learning 101 course on IP into their general studies programs, noting its availability online at no cost.
Dr. Tobi Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, commended the NCC for its commitment to advancing IP awareness. He also highlighted the importance of the National Essay Competition in equipping students with knowledge on IP rights, particularly in the country’s music industry. The 2025 competition, themed “IP and Music: Harnessing Nigeria’s Music Industry for Economic Growth”, attracted 188 entries, producing 17 finalists and three top winners, who will receive scholarships for further IP training abroad and serve as NCC Ambassadors against copyright infringement.
Dr. Asein emphasized, “For Nigeria to fully leverage innovation and creativity, IP education must begin at the tertiary level. Students who understand the basics of IP are better positioned to create, innovate, and protect their works, contributing to national development and competitiveness.”
