WIPO Nigeria Office hosts second edition of IP and Women Business Summit in Commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024

The excitement in the United Nations House, Abuja on Thursday March 28 was palpable as WIPO Nigeria Office hosted over 100 women onsite in Abuja and over 500 women online at the second edition of the IP and Women Business Summit themed “Leveraging Intellectual Property for Business Growth”. The event was aimed at exploring how deliberate investment in women entrepreneurs can support innovation and creativity for national prosperity, and how IP can be leveraged by female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

The event opened with introductory remarks from Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director, WIPO Nigeria Office, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative, UN Women; and Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, country director, UNESCO Nigeria.

Princess Funlayo Bakare-Okeowo, MD/CEO FAE Limited, delivered the first keynote address on the topic: “Inspiring a New Generation of Women Entrepreneurs: Lessons from my Journey” where she shared her remarkable story as a female entrepreneur and highlighted some of the key lessons she gleaned along the way. Ms. Sandra Oyewole, Partner, Olajide Oyewole LLP delivered a second keynote address on the topic: “Leveraging IP for Business Growth” where she gave a passionate and eye-opening discourse on the inimitable role of Intellectual Property in business growth. Her keynote also identified some key challenges faced by women in accessing the IP system, with suggestions for reform.

The event also featured a panel discussion on the topic: “Investing in Women Entrepreneurs as a catalyst for innovation and creativity”; moderated by Ms. Nabila Aguele, Founder and CEO of Fable Advisory. The panel was made up of   an inspiring line up of speakers, which included: Ms. Hansatu Adegbite, Executive Director, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ); Ms. Weyinmi Eribo, Director General, Women Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA); Ms. Omolara Kayode, Founder and Managing Partner, Kayode & Co; and Ms. Zainab Ashadu, Creative Director, Zashadu. They delivered a highly impactful and engaging discourse on the role investing in women entrepreneurs in Nigeria plays in driving innovation and creativity. The session also highlighted the importance of IP for women creatives and innovators, the available resources and networks, and the gender-specific challenges in accessing and utilizing IP rights.

Participants of the summit described it as “eye-opening”, “insightful and inspiring” and “an extraordinary one”. One of the participants, Stella, a Real Estate and Environmental Consultant and aspiring not-for-profit founder was particularly excited about her experience at the summit, which she said came at a very ‘timely’ point in her career.

The IP and Women Business Summit is an annual gathering, bringing together women entrepreneurs, industry professionals, academics, students, innovators, creators, IP experts and policy makers to discuss the pivotal role of IP in empowering women in business as well as addressing issues confronting women in fields of innovation and creativity in Nigeria.

A third edition of the Summit will take place in March 2025.