Segun Awolowo Highlights Importance Of Nigeria, Nigerians Taking Patents Seriously

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office recently received a delegation from the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

The team led by Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody from the UN Nigerian office of the organisation was received by Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, the National Coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office.

Discussions centered on the importance of patents and the role other elements of IPRs will play in the effective and beneficial implementation of the AfCFTA agreement in Nigeria and beyond.

Highlighting the fact that the Protocol on IPRs is one of the pillars of the AfCFTA agreement, Mr. Awolowo noted the importance of Nigeria and Nigerians taking patents seriously, quoting the former American President, Abraham Lincoln, he said that “the patent system added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius” and that Nigeria with a rich cultural heritage which features inventions spanning both science and arts and with a growing population of young innovators, breaking boundaries and expanding their visions beyond Nigeria under the AfCFTA, the importance of intellectual property rights cannot be overstated as it will both help protect what belongs to us and inspire our people to push beyond existing boundaries and also spur interests in several fields.

Mr. Moody, Nigeria’s Country Representative of WIPO, assured the Coordination Office of their support as Nigeria navigates the waters of the AfCFTA Implementation in the areas of IPRs. 

The visit by the delegation is the second part of a series of engagements that saw the Senior Trade Expert at the Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo visit the Nigeria Office of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. 

These engagements are part of the strategic ongoing Coordination Office’s efforts to engage and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians benefit maximally from the agreement.