University of Lagos, Nigeria, Wins 2026 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition

On 26 June, 2026, the second edition of the WIPO Intellectual Property (IP) Moot Court Competition concluded with a Grand Final between the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea, at WIPO headquarters in Geneva.

The University of Lagos emerged as the winners after delivering a strong performance in legal advocacy and oral argument. Team members Israel Idara Ifiok and Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara demonstrated a clear understanding of IP law, confidently responding to questions from the panel of judges throughout the final round.

The victory represents a significant milestone for both Nigeria and the African continent. Following the inaugural competition in 2025 where both the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa, came among the top 12 teams, this year the University of Lagos secured the championship title, becoming the first African university to win the WIPO IP Moot Court Competition. Israel Idara Ifiok and Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara also became the first all-female team to win the competition.

With the victory, the University of Lagos becomes the latest institution to have its name engraved on the WIPO IP Moot Court Championship Trophy, becoming part of the competition's growing legacy.

The competition forms part of WIPO's Intellectual Property and Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES!), which aims to equip young people with practical knowledge and skills in IP law.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, this year's competition attracted more than 200 applications from universities around the world. Forty-eight teams progressed to the virtual rounds, with only eight advancing to the final oral rounds in Geneva. The finalists represented Estonia, India, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Throughout the competition, participants argued a fictional cross-border intellectual property dispute involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets and the enforcement of IP rights. The courtroom-style format gave students practical experience in legal research, written advocacy, oral argument and responding to judicial questions, while strengthening their understanding of intellectual property law in a real-world context.

Beyond the competition, participants also gained access to opportunities for continued professional development. As part of the awards, students received scholarships for advanced distance learning courses offered by the WIPO Academy, as well as mentorship opportunities through the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI).

The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition continues to prepare the next generation of intellectual property professionals by providing practical learning experiences and connecting students with the global IP community.