The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has proposed the establishment of an Orange Economy Security and Intellectual Property Coordination Desk within an existing structure of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to strengthen security and intellectual property protection in Nigeria’s growing creative sector.
Disu made the proposal on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, while presenting a paper to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State. His presentation was titled, “The Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Role of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The IGP said the proposed desk would provide a specialised platform for policing the creative economy, improve inter-agency cooperation, create dedicated reporting channels and promote regular engagement between the police and stakeholders in the sector.
He noted that Nigeria’s creative industries, including film, music, fashion, publishing, advertising, digital content, gaming, tourism, heritage and the arts, had become increasingly connected to entrepreneurship, technology and intellectual property.
According to him, the sector has enormous potential to generate jobs, attract investment and contribute to national development, but creators and their businesses require effective security and protection of their intellectual assets to fully realise that potential.
Disu advocated an intelligence-led and partnership-driven approach to tackling organised piracy, counterfeiting, cyber-enabled fraud and other crimes capable of undermining legitimate creative businesses. He also called for the use of financial investigation to trace criminal proceeds through payment accounts, digital wallets, advertising revenues, logistics networks and online distribution platforms.
On intellectual property protection, the IGP urged stronger collaboration between the police, Nigerian Copyright Commission and other relevant agencies. He also identified film locations, concerts, festivals, tourism destinations and cultural assets as areas requiring sustained security attention.
Disu further stressed the need to improve the police response to cybercrime, preserve digital evidence and maintain continuous engagement with creative communities.
He said providing young Nigerians with legitimate opportunities to convert their talents into income and employment could contribute to crime prevention, while piracy, fraud and extortion could weaken businesses, discourage investment and undermine innovation.
The IGP, however, emphasised that policing the sector should go beyond enforcement, insisting that public safety must be pursued alongside respect for the rights and freedoms required for creativity and entrepreneurship to thrive.
He said professional, accountable and rights-respecting policing would be critical to building confidence among creators, investors and other participants in Nigeria’s creative economy.
Disu said the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to working with government agencies, industry stakeholders, creative professionals and communities to strengthen intellectual property protection, secure creative enterprises and create an environment conducive to innovation, investment and legitimate economic activity.
