Experts and stakeholders have called for increased public and institutional awareness on intellectual property (IP), saying it is the first critical step towards curbing IP theft and protecting creators’ works.

In separate interviews on Tuesday in Abuja, they said raising awareness on IP could unlock the full economic potential in the nation’s creative sector.

‘IP’ refers to the legal rights granted to creators for their original works, including inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, and names used in commerce.

A legal practitioner and IP rights advocate, Hassan Husseini, acknowledged the widespread lack of awareness about IP rights and regulations, which leaves creators vulnerable to theft, piracy, and unauthorised exploitation of their work.

IP, as the name implies, is linked to a property conceived from the mind and should be protected against theft.

“From the booming Afrobeats industry to Nollywood productions, tech startups, and local artisans, Nigeria’s creative and innovative sector is growing at an unprecedented pace.

“It should be protected through patents, copyrights, trademarks, and industrial designs,” he said.

He noted that it was unfortunate that, across many communities, the understanding of such protection remained limited.

“Many people still view creative works or inventions as something that can be freely copied, adapted, or distributed without permission or compensation.

“This is not merely a legal issue; it is a cultural and educational one. When people do not know that a song, a script, a brand name, or a technological invention is legally owned, they do not see copying as theft,” he said.

A literary artiste, Hope Uzoamaka, also said the consequences of such knowledge gap were felt across sectors.

He said in the creative industry, piracy and unauthorised distribution cost creators billions of naira annually and discourage investors.

“In technology and innovation, fear of idea theft prevents many young inventors from developing or sharing their work.

“When people do not know their rights, they do not register their works; they do not enforce their rights, and they do not report violations which can be done with the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

“This creates a cycle where theft goes unchecked and genuine creators lose both income and motivation,” he stated.

He added that awareness should be multi-layered to reach not just creators but the general public, businesses, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies.

“IP protection is not only for the rich or the famous; it is for every student, artist, entrepreneur, and inventor.

“Relevant agencies like NOTAP and the copy rights commission can organise community workshops and run public campaigns that explain in simple, relatable language why protecting ideas protects everyone’s future,” he said.

He also said that stronger IP awareness directly supported economic growth.

“In countries where IP is widely understood and respected, creativity thrives, jobs are created, and foreign investment increases.

“We need to shift the narrative and know that stealing someone’s work is not just a crime; it is stealing their livelihood, their talent and their contribution to our nation. When we protect IP, we are protecting the next generation of innovators,” he said.

The school principal of Novel Academy Abuja, SadiyaMagaji, also said the ministry of education can also integrate IP education into school curricula.

“There should be practical solutions that could be advanced, including simplified, multilingual educational materials for better IP understanding,’’ Ms Magaji said.

She stated that closer collaboration among government agencies and community leaders, including stronger enforcement that sends clear messages that violations carry consequences, could help strengthen IP.

“Awareness without enforcement is incomplete; enforcement without understanding is unsustainable,” she said.

Ms Magaji, who is also as an art teacher, called on the government and Nigerians to build a society respecting ideas, rewarding creators, and rejecting theft.

(NAN)