Supply Chain Management (SCM), a concept that gained prominence in the 1980s, encompasses the coordination and integration of key business processes from initial suppliers to end-users. It is designed to ensure the efficient production and distribution of goods in appropriate quantities, locations, and timeframes, while minimizing operational costs and meeting service delivery standards. Central to SCM is the principle of collaboration among stakeholders through the exchange of critical information on market trends, demand forecasts, and production capacities. In Nigeria, the rapid expansion of supply chain networks, coupled with increasing digitalization, has intensified the need for robust mechanisms to address intellectual property (IP) disputes arising within this ecosystem. The growing complexity of supply chain interactions—particularly in sectors driven by innovation, branding, and proprietary technologies—has exposed limitations in traditional dispute resolution frameworks, which are often slow, costly, and ill-equipped to handle technologically nuanced IP conflicts. Against this backdrop, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly AI-augmented analytics, offers a transformative approach to dispute resolution in Nigeria’s SCM landscape. AI technologies enable predictive analysis, automated document review, pattern recognition, and data-driven decision-making, thereby enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of IP dispute adjudication. This study examines the role of AI-augmented analytics in strengthening intellectual property dispute resolution within Nigeria’s supply chain systems. It explores how AI can facilitate early detection of IP infringements, streamline evidence assessment, and support alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation. Furthermore, the paper considers the implications of AI adoption for legal practitioners, regulatory institutions, and supply chain actors, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges, including data privacy concerns, regulatory gaps, and technological readiness. The study concludes that the adoption of AI-driven solutions holds significant potential for improving the protection of intellectual property rights and enhancing the overall efficiency of supply chain management in Nigeria. It recommends the development of supportive legal frameworks, investment in digital infrastructure, and capacity building among stakeholders to fully harness the benefits of AI in this domain.
Nwankwo et al. (Wed,) studied this question.