Today, as we mark World Intellectual Property Day under the theme “Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” we are reminded that music is not simply entertainment — it is an enduring record of our history, ambitions, and enterprise.

Long before the world spoke of Afrobeats, Nigeria’s vibrant music traveled across oceans. Our ancestors carried the heartbeat of Bata to the Americas, birthing Salsa. Our rhythms shaped distant cultures, affirming that Nigerian creativity has always been a powerful export. Indeed, a generation that loses its history is destined to forfeit its future.

Today, the music industry generates over $28 billion annually worldwide and anchors a creative economy contributing approximately 3% of global GDP and over 30 million jobs.
In Nigeria, music stands at the heart of a dynamic creative industry valued at more than $8 billion, with our artists reshaping global sounds and narratives.

Yet, Nigerian creators continue to face significant barriers, particularly in earning and repatriating royalties across borders.
To fully unlock the sector’s potential, I urge Federal and State Governments to prioritize the liberalization of the digital economy by removing administrative bottlenecks. The digital economy is global; we must deploy payment systems that facilitate the collection of international royalties.
Moreover, targeted tax incentives — including withholding tax waivers, export duty exemptions, and reliefs for qualifying creative income — will empower Nigerian creators to scale their impact and compete globally.

Sustainable protection of intellectual property is inseparable from economic strategy. In this regard, I commend the ongoing initiatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization Nigeria Office and the Institut Français for their consistent support in promoting Nigerian music and cultural expressions.

As we feel the beat of innovation, let us also strengthen the foundations that allow creativity to flourish — at home and abroad.

Happy World Intellectual Property Day.