The WIPO Project on IP for SMEs in the Indigenous Fashion and Craft Industries Closes out with a Colorful Celebration of Indigenous Fashion and Culture

On November 13, 2024, the WIPO Project on IP for SMEs in the Indigenous Fashion and Craft Industries officially came to an end amidst a colorful celebration of indigenous art and culture at the United Nations House, Abuja.

 

The project, which launched in July 2024, was implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission to empower small businesses in the Nigerian indigenous fashion and craft industries with the skills needed to leverage Intellectual Property for business growth and financing. Twenty-two participants from the Adire, leatherworks and raffia craft industries were onboarded and trained for a duration of 4 months using the IP Management Clinics (IPMC) model.

The training couldn't have come at a better time for me. It has greatly enhanced my understanding of the importance of intellectual property rights (IP) as I work towards registering my upcoming fashion waste innovation/solutions. With this newfound knowledge, I am confident that I will effectively apply what I have learned to secure and safeguard my innovative fashion waste solutions amongst my other business ideas, products and services.

Bukola Neville (Adire entrepreneur and project participant)

 

The closing event featured insightful reflections on the issue of IP protection of Nigeria’s indigenous crafts by the Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, Oluwatobiloba Moody, alongside notable dignitaries such as the representative of the Honorable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mr. Nanayakkara Roshan, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, Country Representative of UNESCO Nigeria, Mr. Collins Nweke, the representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission; and Mrs. Y. Akinwunmi, the representative of the Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

 

Christopher Kalanje, Counsellor at the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO IP for Business Division also gave an overview of the impact of the project, alongside Mr. Michael Akpan a representative of the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

The event was lit even further by an inspiring fireside chat with Dr. Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, renowned Adire/Batik artist and founder of the Nike Art Gallery; anchored by Dr. Elizabeth Iheanacho, one of the mentors in the project. She shared her journey as a long-time entrepreneur in the Nigerian Indigenous fashion industry, starting from very humble beginnings simply continuing a tradition handed down to her. She also gave very colorful reflections on the state of the industry and recommendations for the future.

 

Amidst all that was shared, one thing stood out: Nigeria’s indigenous crafts are treasures that need IP protection to remain relevant for generations to come. The WIPO Project on IP for SME’s in the Indigenous Fashion and Craft Industries was a significant step in this direction.