THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has underscored the importance of protecting and effectively managing the innovative technologies and knowledge-based assets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other industries in the country’s petrochemical sector.

This was highlighted by the Director-General, NCC, Dr. John Asein, at the opening ceremony of a five-day capacity-building workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) Law and Management. The workshop, organised by the Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), the training arm of the NCC, in collaboration with the NNPCL Academy, was held in Abuja from 3rd to 7th November 2025 for staff members of NNPCL’s Research, Technology, and Innovation (RTI) Department.

During the workshop, participants reviewed the draft IP Policy submitted by the NCC, which aims to provide a comprehensive framework for managing NNPCL’s intellectual property assets and safeguarding the company’s innovative legacy. The NCC is expected to incorporate observations and contributions from the review before resubmitting the policy.

Dr. Asein, represented at the event by the Director of NCA, Mrs. Funmi Adewale, emphasised that NNPCL’s intellectual properties, including new technologies, critical research data, and proprietary software are central to the company’s future growth. He stressed the importance of protecting these assets, noting that patents, copyrights, and trade secrets are as critical as physical infrastructure such as pipelines, drilling rigs, and refineries.

“Failing to protect knowledge-based assets can lead to financial loss, weakened competitive position, and reputational damage risks that are simply too great to ignore,” he said.

The workshop was designed to equip NNPC-RTI staff with practical knowledge for managing the company’s intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks, while mitigating risks associated with IP infringement. Dr. Asein reiterated NCC’s commitment to providing technical support to help NNPCL establish a robust IP management system.

At the conclusion of the workshop, NNPCL Manager, License and Acquisition, Mrs. Mercy Ogbonna, commended the NCC for sharing valuable knowledge and expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen NNPCL’s RTI capacity while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s IP ecosystem and national economy. Similarly, NNPCL Programme Coordinator, Mr. Haliru Adamu, praised the NCC team for their professionalism and excellence in coordination and delivery.

Topics covered during the training included: Introduction to IP, Dispute Resolution and Enforcement; Patent and Trademark Management; Copyright Law and Management; Trade Secrets and Emerging Trends in IP; IP Management Strategy; and Case Studies and Simulations. Resource persons included NCC directors, legal practitioners, and IP experts from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, among others.

Key highlights of the workshop included interactive sessions, the review of NNPCL’s draft IP policy, adoption of the cohort name “The NNPC IP Pioneers,” and active engagement from participants. The workshop concluded with participants commending the facilitators for their knowledge, professionalism, and style of delivery, expressing optimism that the training would serve as a springboard for developing a strong IP management team within NNPC.

Mary Avoswahi Adegbile

For: Director-General NCC