On April 2 and 3, 2025, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Nigerian Judiciary hosted a Judicial Workshop for 21 judges. This event represented an important step in their ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian judiciary’s capacity to handle intellectual property (IP) cases.
The event began with a welcome address by Hon. Justice Salisu Garba, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), who emphasized the timely need to enhance judges’ capacity in IP adjudication in Nigeria. Ms. Eun-Joo Min, Director of the WIPO Judicial Institute, as well as Mr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of the WIPO Nigeria Office, further highlighted the critical role of judges in the interpretation and application of IP law and in assuring balance and efficacy in IP, innovation and creative ecosystems. Declaring the Workshop open, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, noted the importance of the Workshop given the increasing significance of IP litigation in Nigeria.
A total of 21 judges participated in the Workshop, drawn from 13 Judicial Divisions of the Federal High Court across Nigeria. The Workshop provided the judges with practical engagement on a wide range of topics, including the structure of judicial IP administration in Nigeria, IP dispute resolution, remedies, and criminal infringement proceedings, as well as techniques for managing IP cases.
Significantly, the Workshop also provided an opportunity for the judges to review the draft Benchbook on IP Adjudication in Nigeria, a project being developed by WIPO in collaboration with the NJI, and provide feedback towards its finalization.
The facilitators at the Workshop included Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Yola; Hon. Justice Olayinka Faji, member of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges and Judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos; Dr. John Asein, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission; Mr. Sadiq Yusuf, Assistant Chief Registrar and Head of Opposition and Litigation, Trademarks Registry; and Mr. Mark Mordi SAN, Partner at Aluko & Oyebode.
Hon. Deputy Judge Daniel Alexander of the Chancery Division and Patents Court, High Court of England and Wales, London, and Hon. Judge Francis Tuiyott of the Court of Appeal, Nairobi, Kenya, brought an international perspective to the discussions.
The training forms part of WIPO’s broader initiative to empower the judiciary and to strengthen IP protection in Nigeria, supporting the country’s efforts to enhance its competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. WIPO and the Nigerian Judiciary remain committed to continued collaboration. The ultimate goal is to equip judges at all levels with the knowledge and tools needed to uphold IP rights and drive national economic growth.
About the WIPO Judicial Institute and Capacity Building for Judges
The WIPO Judicial Institute collaborates with member states to empower their judiciaries to fulfill their role in ensuring that IP, innovation and creative ecosystems are balanced and effective. As part of this work, WIPO offers a holistic suite of capacity-building activities that contribute to building Continuing Judicial Education (CJE) on IP.
CJE programs are designed to enhance the capacity of the member state judicial authorities to deliver self-sustaining education programs on IP. The goal is for judges to develop their capacity and skills to adjudicate IP disputes efficiently and in accordance with national strategies and priorities. Ultimately, the program will enable new judges to gain an initial understanding of the complex field of IP and allow experienced judges to learn about new IP statutes and developments.
To learn more about this support, contact the WIPO Judicial Institute.