The July 2025 edition of the WIPO Nigeria Monthly Webinar series, which held on July 30, 2025 focused on the role of intellectual property in supporting Nigerian fashion designers. Experts emphasized the strategic importance of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation, brand value, and economic growth within Africa’s fashion industry.
The speakers included Ms. Bernice Asein, Founder of the Fashion Law Institute; Ms. Mam Issa Mboob-Hunger, Senior Program Officer at the Department for Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications, WIPO; and Ms. Michelle Sandrine Koko, Consultant also at the Department for Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications, WIPO.
Ms. Asein gave an overview of the relevance of IP to fashion businesses, stressing that many designers remain unaware of their rights or the laws that protect their creations. She urged creatives to understand and use IP tools—such as copyright, trademarks, and industrial designs—to build distinctive brands and improve attractiveness to investors.
Ms. Mboob-Hunger and Ms. Koko introduced WIPO’s upcoming project: Empowering African Fashion Designers Through IP and Branding Tools. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce through mentorship, capacity building, and global exposure.
The WIPO Nigeria Office Monthly Webinar series is held every month to update stakeholders on key IP developments and the work of WIPO, collaborating across other WIPO Divisions to achieve this. The next edition is scheduled to take place in August 2025.
View the recording of the session (Passcode: G77=+g%W)
Ms. Asein Presentation Ms. Mboob-Hunger and Ms. Koko Presentation