Three winners have been selected in the 2025 edition of the WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition, an initiative that highlights the power of intellectual property (IP) to drive economic and creative growth.
This year’s edition, launched on April 30, 2025, invited students to reflect on “IP and Music: Harnessing Nigeria’s Music Industry for Economic Growth”, aligning with the broader 2025 World IP Day theme“, IP and music: Feel the beat of IP”.
Participating students were challenged to critically reflect on how the creativity of artists, producers, and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s music industry, supported by strong IP frameworks, can contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. They also explored the barriers confronting the industry, including the impact of emerging technologies, and proposed forward-looking solutions that support sustainable growth in the industry and the larger economy.
An independent panel of 20 judges reviewed 188 essays from 57 tertiary institutions across 26 states, selecting the top three winners alongside 17 finalists.
Launched in 2020, the competition provides an annual platform for tertiary students in Nigeria to research and deepen their understanding of IP, as they explore policy ideas inspired by the World Intellectual Property Day theme.
The Winners
First place: Paul Olatunde Ajibola, fourth-year law student at the University of Ibadan.
Read his essay [PDF]
Second place: Michael Williams, fourth-year law student from the University of Lagos, Lagos.
Read his essay [PDF]
Third place: Abisola Oyeniyi, third-year law student from the University of Lagos.
Read her essay [PDF]
Prizes and Opportunities
Winners and finalists will benefit from a range of tailored learning and professional development opportunities designed to deepen their IP knowledge and support their growth as future leaders in the creative and innovation ecosystems. These include:
- A scholarship for the first-place winner to participate in the Advanced Certificate Course on IP Asset Management.
- Scholarships for the second and third-place winners to attend the WIPO Summer School in South Africa in 2026.
- Submission of the top three essays for publication consideration in the WIPO Magazine.
For all winners and finalists:
- Participation in the WIPO Nigeria IP Youth mentorship program.
- Access to an IP learning workshop in Abuja organized by the WIPO Nigeria Office.
- Participation in the Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship program.
- Enrollment in any WIPO Distance learning course of their choice, with all participants given access to the WIPO DL-101 course.
A few words from the judges
“The essays demonstrated originality, intellectual maturity and strong understanding of IP, policy, and commercial strategy. Initiatives like this strengthen capacity-building and amplify youths’ voices.” Uzoamaka Emerole, Partner, Dentons ACAS-Law
“The process was meticulous and transparent, ensuring that the most deserving candidate was chosen as the winner.” Mr. Collins Nweke, Director, Planning Research & Statistics, Nigerian Copyright Commission
The full list of announced winners and finalists are included below:
| First Name | Last Name | Institution | Degree Program | Education Level | Position |
| Paul Olatunde | Ajibola | University of Ibadan | Law | 400 L | 1st |
| Michael | Williams | University of Lagos | Law | 400 L | 2nd |
| Abisola | Oyeniyi | University of Lagos | Law | 300 L | 3rd |
| Laura | Moronkola | Lagos State University College of Medicine | Medicine and Surgery | 400 L | 4th |
| Towobola | Bamgbose | Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus | Law | Postgraduate | 5th |
| Bolarinwa | Bamigbola | Olabisi Onabanjo University | Law | 500 L | 6th |
| Doctor | Ajanaku | Bowen University | Law | 400 L | Finalist |
| Elizabeth | Chris | Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | Civil Law | 500 L | Finalist |
| Chisom | Nwagwughiagwu | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | Mechanical Engineering | 300 L | Finalist |
| Rachael | Ajisafe | Olabisi Onabanjo University | Law | 100 L | Finalist |
| Victor | Ayoola | University of Ibadan | Law | 500 L | Finalist |
| Oluwabukola | Abolade | University of Ibadan | Economics | 400 L | Finalist |
| Silas | Michael | University of Ibadan | Agricultural and Environmental Engineering | 400 L | Finalist |
| Ozana | Dortie | Niger Delta University | Law | 400 L | Finalist |
| Isaac | Olugbenga | Federal University Oye Ekiti | Surveying and Geoinformatics | 200 L | Finalist |
| Abdulmuqeet | Aribidesi | University of Ilorin | Common and Islamic Law | 300 L | Finalist |
| Vera | Anakor | Babcock University | Law | 300 L | Finalist |
| Adekunle | Olajide | University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State | Common Law | 500 L | Finalist |
| Olatunji | Durodola | University Of Ibadan | English | 300 L | Finalist |
| Caleb | Okechukwu | Abia State University, Uturu | Medicine and Surgery | 200 L | Finalist |