The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved three key reforms aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s shift toward a digital and knowledge-driven economy. The policies, presented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and focus on expanding the nation’s economic base through innovation, intellectual property, and talent export.
According to a statement from the State House, the reforms include the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) digital trade protocol, and the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports.
The National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) serves as Nigeria’s first unified framework for protecting and commercialising creative and innovative works. Developed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and over 200 contributors, NIPPS aims to turn ideas into capital by providing a clear structure for monetising intellectual property.
The presidency stated that NIPPS “positions Nigeria as a regional hub for intellectual property and innovation in West and Central Africa,” enabling investors, creators, and inventors to translate ideas into economic assets.
The AfCFTA digital trade protocol, also approved by the council, establishes standards for e-commerce, cybersecurity, and data governance across Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market. By ratifying the agreement, Nigeria positions itself to lead on continental digital commerce and cross-border innovation.
The third policy—the National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports—is led by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP). It targets the creation of one million new jobs and an annual GDP contribution of $10 billion by 2030. The initiative will help streamline Nigeria’s professional and digital service exports to meet global demand for skilled workers in technology, healthcare, and finance.
The presidency described the three policies as “a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s economic transformation where ideas, data, and talent drive sustainable growth.”
Earlier this year, the government announced that NIPPS would launch officially in July 2025 to curb intellectual property theft and piracy in Nigeria’s creative and tech sectors. Oduwole noted that intellectual property “is a strategic enabler for trade,” reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s digital innovation hub.
