Dr. Asein, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, has urged Nigerian universities to introduce intellectual property (IP) education to align with global standards. He highlighted the need for tertiary institutions to educate students and faculty on IP, emphasizing this as essential for enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global academic landscape.

To support this initiative, Dr. Asein assured Vice-Chancellors of the Commission’s commitment to assisting in the development and implementation of IP policies across universities. He noted that the Commission is collaborating with agencies, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to establish an intellectual property ranking for universities, recognizing institutions that excel in respecting and commercializing IP.

Dr. Asein also encouraged universities to incorporate WIPO’s free online course, DL 101, into their General Studies programs, providing students with a foundational understanding of IP applicable to various fields of study.

Receiving copies of the Model IP Policy on behalf of Nigerian universities, Prof. Lilian Salami, Chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, commended the collaborative efforts between the Commission and the CVCNU. She expressed CVCNU’s commitment to fostering a strong IP culture in Nigerian universities.

The Model IP Policy was developed by Nigerian experts with support from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), WIPO, and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), aimed at creating a robust IP framework in Nigerian higher education.