Experts are currently expressing fear that obsolete legal framework for patenting and intellectual property could be costing Nigeria billions of naira, even as they note the world is gradually tilting towards an innovation driven economy.
Nigeria has made giant strides in information technology, fashion and movie industry and have their celebrities celebrated globally, but experts are worried that obsolete legislation could be the bane of Nigeria’s advancement in knowledge and innovation driven economy.
Chinenye Uwanaka, lawyer and managing partner, at the African Policy Conversation in Abuja, says there must be need for policy makers to constantly look at enabling laws in the country, as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy.
Speaking furher, she expresses concern, “Most Nigerians don’t value Intellectual property. Nigerians don’t always see value in creativity. Our innovation, fashion, movies, music are celebrated globally. That is our greatest and biggest exploits and not the oil and gas and as such we must protect it with relevant laws.”
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According to Chinenye, “Most of the relevant laes was they are currently constituted ae outdated and may not be able to protect that child in Surulele or Nsukkan who is innovative and wants to do something different.”
She adds, “We have to focus on what is empowering the young people now and we are going to work hand in hand with the government to protect the intellectual power of innovative young Nigerians.
“From technology alone, Nigeria has made billions of dollars alone ad not to talk about the music industry which has made people billionaires. We are saying how do you incentives this sector to bring in more foreign direct investment.”
Kasim Sodangi, national coordinator, office for the Nigerian Content Development in ICT, says there is need to re-think current enforcement and legislation.
“We need to redesign laws that are suited for a particular circumstance as the world evolves. We need to ask specific questions such as where are we now in development, how do tech start-ups get the right kind of support and how do we put resources behind ideas.
“We need to ask ourselves what is important in our scale of national priorities,” he states.
Chinenye Mba-Uzo Ukwu, a technology enthusiast, notes Nigeria must prioritise intellectual property since they are core component of knowledge economy.
