The world is longing for sustainable development, a development that meets the needs of the present without frustrating future generations in meeting their own needs. This led the United Nations Organisation to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. There is no oubt that intellectual property and its protection play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development, because innovation is one of the primary means of achieving sustainable development, and intellectual property law rewards innovation, thereby fostering development. Utilising doctrinal and analytical research methodologies, this paper seeks to appraise the importance of intellectual property law in achieving sustainable development. The article examines the concept of sustainable development, intellectual property law, and the role of the World Intellectual Property Organisation in the protection of intellectual property and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The article argues that intellectual property is relevant to the attainment of sustainable development goals if well managed. Lastly, the article proffers recommendations on how to best integrate intellectual property law with sustainable development.

Keywords: Intellectual Property Rights, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Innovation and Development, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Intellectual Property Law.