IN an exciting endeavour to cultivate creativity, innovation and research of Intellectual Property (IP) in Higher Institutions of learning, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has announced its dedication to guide and support tertiary students with all the needed expertise for excellence.
Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) Dr. John O. Asein gave the assurances at the inauguration ceremony of the IP Society of Baze University Abuja, 9th August 2023.
The DG-NCC, represented by the Director, Nigerian Copyright Academy (NCA), Mr. Collins Nweke further disclosed that the Commission is committed to providing IP students and enthusiasts with requisite capacity building opportunities to address emerging trends in the industry.
Empowered with the new Copyright Act 2022, the NCC is more than ever committed to foster IP knowledge through developing and sustaining collaborations with IP clubs, IP Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), IP teachers in Higher Institutions of learning and young lawyers across the country, Dr. Asein stated.
“We are committed to ensure that the copyright system delivers maximum benefits to all investors in the copyright industries and the economy. We therefore support every efforts to promote IP and are willing to build strategic partnership with groups, associations, and all well-meaning Nigerians in that respect” he stressed.
He further noted that in line with initiatives to strengthen creativity, copyright knowledge and respect, the Commission will initiate an IP competition for undergraduate and post graduate students in Nigeria
According to him, the initiative aimed at enhancing IP and encouraging research and development in the field of IP, will involve identifying and rewarding graduate and postgraduate thesis that best address ongoing and emerging IP challenges.
While appreciating the the doggedness of Baze University, IP Society, he said the Commission is pleased to train members on Copyright and urged the Executives to agree with the NCA on a suitable date and time for the training, adding that NCA will support them with the necessary guide to actualise their mandates.
The inauguration was also attended by several stakeholders in the industry, including: Director, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Nigeria Office, Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, officials from the Patent and Design Registry and Trademark Registry of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, IP Lecturers and students.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Society, Ms. Ufuoma Phoebe Madogwa, shared the society’s mission of “Protecting Innovation and Promoting Creativity,” aiming to foster a healthy culture for IP and nurture creative minds.
She expressed gratitude to the NCC, school authorities, and other stakeholders for their presence at the event and assured of the Executives’s commitment to serving the course.

Mary Avoswahi Adegbile
For: Director-General