Timothy Wisdom Uchechukwu’s Post

Youth are one of the most underserved groups in the global IP system, and the data proves it. WIPO’s first global perception survey, WIPO Pulse, tracked IP awareness among 25,000 people in 50 countries. One insight stood out sharply: 👉 Young people aged 18–24 recorded the lowest IP awareness scores worldwide. Yet this same demographic is leading innovation, building startups, creating content, shaping culture, and rewriting the digital economy. 📍So why is IP — the engine that protects and powers innovation, missing from their conversations? This is exactly why the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO Youth Engagement team led by Nadine Hakizimana launched the WIPO Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES): to spark passion, build practical skills, and empower young people to turn ideas into impact. Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the United Nations House, Abuja, invited by the WIPO Nigeria Office, to address the 2025 WIPO NG Essay Finalists on how youth can drive meaningful change in their communities through IP awareness and leadership. One truth I emphasised: IP advocacy starts with intentionality. If Nigerian tech conferences, hackathons, and innovation events (especially those targeted towards this generation) continue to overlook IP, then we are simply celebrating creativity without protecting the creators who make it possible. 📍And how do you inspire innovation without promoting what fuels it? I’ll close with the powerful words of Daren Tang on International Youth Day 2022: “Youths are beyond talented; we have the ideas and we have the passion. Wherever your ambitions lie, IP can help shape them. This is our time.” A special thank you to WIPO Nigeria Office and Oluwatobiloba Moody, Aje Adofikwu, Olaronke Walker for the kind invitation and for championing youth engagement in IP.