Nigeria Police Propose Security and IP Desk for Creative Economy

The Nigeria Police Force has proposed the establishment of an Orange Economy Security and Intellectual Property Coordination Desk to strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s growing creative economy.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu made the proposal on September 16, 2026, while delivering a lecture to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State. The proposal was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

Police Want Dedicated Structure for Creative-Economy Security

The proposed desk would operate within an appropriate existing structure of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to Disu, it would provide a more coordinated approach to security challenges affecting creative businesses and professionals. Its proposed functions include specialised policing, dedicated reporting mechanisms, stronger inter-agency cooperation and closer engagement with stakeholders in the creative sector.

The proposal is focused on what Nigeria commonly describes as the “Orange Economy”, which includes industries whose activities are driven substantially by creativity, culture, entrepreneurship, technology and intellectual property.

Disu identified film, music, fashion, publishing, advertising, digital content, gaming, tourism, heritage and the arts among the sectors that form part of the creative economy.

Piracy and Fraud Identified as Major Concerns

The police chief said stronger security measures are needed because creative businesses can be affected by organised piracy, counterfeiting, cyber-enabled fraud and other criminal activities.

He called for an intelligence-led and partnership-based approach to dealing with these threats.

Disu also highlighted the potential role of financial investigations in cases involving criminal networks. Such investigations could, where appropriate, trace proceeds moving through payment accounts, digital wallets, advertising revenues, logistics networks and online distribution platforms.

The proposal therefore goes beyond physical security. It also recognises that much of Nigeria’s creative economy now operates through digital platforms and intellectual property.

Intellectual Property Protection Is Part of the Proposal

The Inspector-General also called for stronger cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Copyright Commission and other relevant institutions.

Intellectual property protection is particularly significant for creative businesses because music, films, books, designs, digital content and other creative works can be copied or distributed without the creator’s authorisation.

The proposed coordination desk is intended to improve how law-enforcement institutions respond to such problems while creating clearer channels for reporting and cooperation with industry stakeholders.

Police Also Highlight Security at Creative Events

Disu identified the protection of film locations, concerts, festivals, tourism sites and cultural assets as other areas requiring greater attention.

The police chief also pointed to improved responses to cybercrime and better preservation of digital evidence as important components of policing the sector.

For an industry that increasingly depends on online distribution, digital payments and social-media platforms, these areas can have direct consequences for creators and businesses.

Creative Economy Seen as Part of Crime Prevention

Disu also connected economic opportunity with crime prevention.

He argued that legitimate pathways through which young people can turn their talents into lawful income and employment could reduce their vulnerability to criminal activity.

Nigeria’s creative industries have expanded across entertainment, fashion, publishing, advertising, gaming, digital content and cultural tourism. The police proposal places the protection of these activities within a wider discussion about security, entrepreneurship and economic development.

Police Say Rights Must Be Protected

The Inspector-General stressed that policing the creative economy should not focus solely on enforcement.

He said public safety measures should be balanced with the rights and protections needed for creativity and enterprise to develop.

Disu also emphasised professional, accountable and rights-respecting policing as important to building confidence among creators, entrepreneurs and investors.

That distinction is significant because stronger enforcement in areas such as copyright, online activity and public events can affect both legitimate businesses and the people working in them.

What Happens Next?

The proposal does not mean that a new police desk has already been established.

The Inspector-General has proposed that the coordination desk be created within an existing structure of the Nigeria Police Force. The available statement does not announce a final implementation date, staffing structure or operational guidelines for the proposed desk.

The next steps would therefore involve determining how the proposed structure would operate, which police units and government agencies would participate, and how creators and businesses would interact with it.

For Nigeria’s creative sector, the practical impact will depend on whether the proposal develops into an effective reporting, investigation and coordination mechanism.

The proposal also raises a broader question about how law enforcement can protect intellectual property and creative businesses while maintaining the rights and freedoms that allow the sector to grow.