The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and positioning the sector for global competitiveness.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, made this known while declaring open the “IP for Growth in Africa: Lagos Music Industry Workshop” at the American Corner, Lekki.
The three-day capacity-building programme focuses on strengthening intellectual property frameworks and promoting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s music industry.
The Commissioner highlighted the economic importance of intellectual property protection, noting that nearly $286 million in recorded music revenue remains uncollected in Nigeria and Kenya, representing significant lost economic opportunities.
She described Nigeria’s creative economy as an economic powerhouse, noting that the country’s music industry contributes more than ₦613 billion to the national economy, with Lagos serving as a major hub for artists, producers, innovators and creative entrepreneurs.
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, disclosed that Nigeria’s music industry has recorded 5,000 per cent growth on Spotify over the past five years, largely driven by the industry itself.
He also announced policy developments, including the establishment of a cohesive intellectual property framework across five ministries and the operationalisation of the copyright levy system.
The workshop brings together Nigerian and international industry experts to explore music publishing, digital distribution, licensing, monetisation and intellectual property protection, with support from the USPTO, WIPO and NCAC.
The initiative is expected to culminate in November, when African creators will return to Geneva to engage with policymakers and officials involved in shaping global copyright policies.
