Fawehinmi Calls For Exclusive Intellectual Property Court In Nigeria

Entertainment lawyer Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, niece of renowned human rights advocate Gani Fawehinmi, has urged the establishment of a dedicated Intellectual Property (IP) Court in Nigeria. She emphasised that with the rapid growth of Nigeria’s creative economy, the absence of such a court is a critical gap in the country’s legal infrastructure.

Speaking during the inaugural Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS), which took place from September 17 to 20 at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos, Fawehinmi stressed that the creation of an IP court is not only essential but long overdue.

Experts at the summit echoed Fawehinmi’s sentiment, noting that a specialised IP court would provide efficient handling of intellectual property disputes and offer robust protection for creative works in sectors like music, film, fashion, and technology. The absence of adequate legal structures in Nigeria leaves creators vulnerable to copyright infringement and limits their legal recourse.

During the event, a significant development was the announcement of “Protect We,” a new platform focused on providing legal education specifically for the entertainment industry. Fawehinmi highlighted the importance of affordable and accessible training for Nigerian lawyers aspiring to specialise in entertainment law.

“If you want a Master’s in Entertainment Law, you have to go to the UK or US, but the costs are prohibitive,” Fawehinmi said, referencing tuition fees exceeding €35,000. She noted that these barriers hinder the growth of specialised legal expertise in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sectors.

In collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section of Business Law, the Protect We platform offers a nine-month Master’s program designed to equip lawyers with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the creative economy. Fawehinmi explained that graduates will gain practical experience and be prepared to work in industries such as film and media, receiving certification in areas like film law.

In addition to the Master’s program, Protect We will also provide short courses for creatives, educating them on their legal rights and covering key topics such as conflict resolution and supply chain management.

Fawehinmi expressed her vision of increasing the number of specialised entertainment lawyers in Nigeria, aiming to have 5,000 professionals in the field within five years—a significant jump from the current numbers.

The summit highlighted the need for an overhaul of Nigeria’s intellectual property framework to support its rapidly expanding creative economy and ensure that legal protections keep pace with industry growth.