Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Nigeria is being urged to take urgent and deliberate steps to protect intellectual property in the sports sector, as experts warn that the country risks losing enormous economic value if action is not taken.
This call to action took centre stage in Abuja at a high-level seminar organised to mark World Intellectual Property Day 2026, with the theme “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.”
Intellectual Property (IP) is ownership of creations of the mind things like ideas, music, designs, inventions, and brands. It gives creators the legal right to protect and profit from their work, preventing others from using it without permission.
Speaking at the event , Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, says the future of Nigerian sports depends not just on talent, but on how well the country protects and commercialises its sports assets.
He explained that modern sports goes far beyond the field of play, now driven by media rights, branding, sponsorships, technology, and athlete image rights all of which are rooted in intellectual property.
According to him, failure to properly protect these assets means lost revenue, weak investment, and missed opportunities for athletes and the nation.
Dikko stressed that intellectual property is what transforms sports from a passion into a profitable industry, adding that Nigeria must move quickly to build structures that support ownership, licensing, and enforcement.
He revealed that reforms are already underway to reposition sports as a key contributor to the economy, with recent figures showing the sector contributing over one percent to Nigeria’s GDP and creating thousands of jobs.
Also speaking at the event, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization Nigeria Office Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody, highlighted the massive global value of the sports industry and the need for Nigeria to strategically tap into it.
He noted that from grassroots sports to professional leagues, intellectual property plays a critical role in protecting innovations, team identities, and commercial rights.
He equally raised concerns over low awareness of intellectual property across the sector, pointing out that many athletes, clubs, and organisations do not fully understand or protect their rights.
Citing that Issues such as piracy, poor branding, weak contracts, and lack of proper registration continue to limit growth and investor confidence.
He equally noted that Intellectual Property IP in the sports sector is not just about laws and filings but it is about the joy of the game, the pride of the jersey, and the creativity that makes sports unforgettable.
Adding his voice to the conversation,
Ex Nigerian footballer Daniel Amokachi also known as the BULL , highlighted the lack of a true sports business ecosystem in Nigeria, despite the country’s talent and potential.
He cited statistics showing sports contribute only 1% to Nigeria’s GDP, compared to music and fashion’s 58%, noting that with proper management, sports could generate 80-90% of GDP annually, as he calls for a business-minded reform in the sector.
At the end of the seminar, Experts say understanding intellectual property can help athletes build personal brands, secure endorsements, and avoid exploitation as they urged athletes to protect their image rights, ensure clubs register their brands, and investors must demand proper structures, while the federal government must strengthen policies and enforcement.