Nigerian Copyright Commission DG Urges Universities To Adopt IP Policies To Boost Innovation
The Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, has emphasized the importance of every Nigerian university establishing an Intellectual Property (IP) Policy to enhance their innovative and creative capacities.
Speaking at the formal presentation of the revised Model Intellectual Property (IP) Policy to the General Assembly of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) in Abuja, Dr. Asein highlighted the Model Policy’s purpose. Originally developed by the NCC in partnership with the CVCNU in 2021, the policy has been reissued as part of the Commission’s effort to encourage its widespread adoption and practical implementation. He also extended appreciation to the CVCNU’s former Secretary-General for championing the initiative and collaborating with the NCC to promote sustainable IP management in Nigerian universities.
Dr. Asein urged universities to introduce IP concepts to faculty and students, aligning with international standards and enhancing Nigerian institutions’ global competitiveness. He pledged NCC’s support in assisting universities with policy development and execution.
“The Commission will work with agencies, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to launch an intellectual property ranking of universities and recognize institutions excelling in IP respect, generation, utilization, and commercialization,” assured Dr. Asein.
He also recommended that universities integrate the WIPO Distance Learning (DL) 101 course—a free online resource—into General Studies to provide students with foundational IP knowledge relevant to their fields.
Accepting the Model IP Policy on behalf of Nigerian Vice Chancellors, CVCNU Chairman Prof. Lilian Salami (Vice Chancellor, University of Benin) praised the collaboration between the NCC and CVCNU in creating the policy and confirmed the Committee’s dedication to enhancing IP culture across universities.
The Model IP Policy was created with the expertise of Nigerian professionals, with support from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), WIPO, and the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
