The U.S. Mission in collaboration with the American Business Council, hosted the second edition of its Intellectual Property (IP) Symposium on the 25th and 26th of April themed “Intellectual Property and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future,”.

Nigerian youths are critical players in providing solutions, as seen in innovation hubs and startups across the country. The Symposium served to increase awareness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection among Nigeria’s creative and business sectors. IPR is a strategic resource for bolstering economic growth in Nigeria.

The two-day symposium, led by the United States Department of Justice’s INL-funded Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT)’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney Adviser (ICHIP), brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s IPR protection framework, including leading entertainment and creative industry leaders.

Delivering remarks during the opening ceremony of the symposium in Lagos, U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard noted that the protection of intellectual property rights is critical for any economy that wants to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ambassador Leonard noted that strong intellectual property rights protection is essential to creating jobs and opening new markets for goods and services. She encouraged stakeholders in the intellectual property space to shore up Nigeria’s IPR legal framework and lay a solid foundation for youth to drive innovation and engender a more prosperous Nigeria.

The symposium featured a plenary session, thematic panel discussions, and exhibitions with a particular focus on Nigeria’s burgeoning technology (health tech, Geospatial, and robotic companies) and creative industries. Participants discussed how intellectual property rights can support their goals, help transform ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs, and make a positive impact.

Leading industry, legal and academic speakers explored options for making Nigerian IP infrastructure work for innovative youth in Nigeria, on one hand, while creative industry pioneers discussed negotiating opportunities for Nigeria’s creative industry.

The symposium featured a spirited secondary school debate on the relevance of IPR protection for Nigeria’s better future, as well as thought-provoking art performances to spotlight the place of creativity.

Through economic diplomacy overseas, the United States encourages host-nation governments to establish predictable legal regimes to ensure intellectual property rights can be secured.