MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, COOPERATIVE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment (MCCTI), has doubled down on its commitment to positioning Nigeria’s Creative Economy for Global competitiveness, as the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, declared open the “IP for Growth in Africa: Lagos Music Industry Workshop” – a three-day capacity-building programme designed to strengthen Intellectual Property Frameworks and drive Sustainable Growth in the Music Sector.
Speaking during the Event held at the American Corner, Lekki, the Commissioner underscored the strategic importance of Intellectual Property Protection, revealing that nearly $286 million in Recorded Music Revenue remains uncollected in Nigeria and Kenya alone – a staggering figure representing lost jobs, unbuilt infrastructure, and unrealized potential for the Nation’s Economy.
“Nigeria’s Creative Economy is not merely a Cultural Asset, it is an Economic Powerhouse. Our Music Industry alone now accounts for over N613 billion, demonstrating its significant and growing contribution to out National Economy. Lagos State stands at the very heart of this Creative Revolution. As the Entertainment Capital of Africa, Lagos is home to the Artists, Producers, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs who are exporting Nigerian culture to every corner of the globe.”Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem stated.
The Workshop being the first of the “IP for Growth in Africa” series, which builds upon high-level discussions , was convened by the U.S. Mission during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly in Geneva on July 9th , with feasible plans to have another IP Launch slated in South Africa for its subsequent edition , third week in the month of August, 2026
According to the Acting Consul General of the U.S. Mission in Lagos, Julia McKay, who highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that it comes at a special moment , which the United States celebrates the 250th Anniversary, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
She emphasized that by extending U.S. Expertise beyond Geneva, the American Government demonstrates the effectiveness of the U.S. Intellectual Property Model, advances American commercial interests, promotes Transparent market-based systems, and builds lasting Partnerships , with African Creators and Policymakers .
The Lagos State Commissioner reaffirmed the Government commitment to creating an enabling Environment for the Creative Economy , noting that “a Thriving Creative Economy requires more than talent, but also an Enabling Environment. This means clear Legal Frameworks, Effective Enforcement Mechanisms, Accessible Education for Creators, and strong institutions that can negotiate on behalf of Nigerian Artists in the global marketplace.”
In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Obi Asika, who is also an Alumnus of the U.S. International Visitors Leadership Programme, provided compelling data on the Industry ‘s remarkable growth trajectory , revealing that Nigeria has experienced 5,000% growth on Spotify in the last five years, a feat achieved without Government support, entirely Bootstrapped by the industry itself.
“There is no industry in the world that has grown this fast in the last five years!”he declared.
Mr. Asika also announced significant Policy Advancement, including the establishment of a cohesive IP Framework across five Ministries, now approved by the Federal Executive Council, and the operationalization of the copyright levy system – a milestone achievement after 25 years of advocacy.
“In the last 20 – 25 years, we’ve been in hospital, and we haven’t actually got to this stage where we have this operational. So it’s now operational. It’s now like a big moment for every day to the right,” he remarked.
Also speaking , Katherine Hiner, the IP Attaché for Sub-Sahara Africa, a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) , reinforced the Economic imperative of strong IP systems, noting that 44% of the U.S. GDP is supported by IP-intensive industries, employing 49.6 million people.
“Nigerian Creatives are not just a cultural phenomenon, it is an Economic Reality that Industries bring to the table,” she stated.
While acknowledging the impact of the Music Industry to the Nigerian Economy, Kolawole Fashola, the Vice President of Business Affairs & Tech at The Temple Company and an AMMP Alumnus, posed a critical question to industry stakeholders: “Nigeria never had a shortage of talent. Our Music has travelled the World over. How well are we converting these talents into Economic sustainability?”
He recounted that knowledge shared can build more resilient businesses, adding that the conversation must move beyond cultural influence to building systems , required to protect and manage IP properly.
The workshop features intensive sessions on Music publishing, Digital distribution, Licensing ,Monetization, and the practical dimensions of IP protection.
Participants include representatives from leading American music companies with presence in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian industry leaders and emerging talents, using adequate support by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
The initiative will culminate in November , when African creators return to Geneva to engage directly with policymakers and Government officials attending WIPO’s Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, connecting the people creating and commercializing music with those shaping the policies determines how value is protected and shared.
