— G. M. Trevelyan

Intellectual Property Day: Youths commended on innovation

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, has commended Nigerian youths for their ingenuity and valid contributions to the economy through innovative ideas.

The Minister stated this in her address at an event marking the World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD) 2022 with the theme “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future” held in Abuja recently.

Amb. Katagum stated that Nigerian youth, along with others in Africa and around the world are innovative, using their energy, ingenuity, curiosity and creativity to create a better future.

She noted that young people in Nigeria are the innovators, the creators and the entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow.

“In the FinTech space for instance, Flutterwave, a Nigerian FinTech recently raised an additional $250 million investment, taking its valuation to $3 billion and making it Africa’s biggest start up. We also have Flutterwave, Opay and Interswitch as current African Start-ups that are valued at above $1bn, making them unicorns. In the technology driven sector alone, Nigeria boasts of six start-ups that have become unicorns” the Minister stated.

She made it known that the theme for this year’s World Intellectual Property Day has offered a platform for young people to find out how intellectual property (IPRs) can support their goals, help transform their ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs and make a positive impact on the world around them.

Amb. Katagum stated that with IPRs, young people have access to some of the key tools they need to advance their ambitions.