Nigeria

The ongoing fight against counterfeit goods in Nigeria has become a pressing issue, with the House of Representatives urging the government to declare a state of emergency in response to the growing prevalence of fake products. The effects of counterfeiting are far-reaching, particularly in the health, safety, and economic sectors, with counterfeit medicines posing a […]

Nigeria is close to securing full membership in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), according to Dr. Ishiaku Khalid, Acting Director General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC). Speaking at the 2025 Boot Camp on Plant Variety Protection (PVP) for Agricultural Development, Khalid confirmed that Nigeria is making […]

Nigeria has marked a significant milestone with its first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to Kenya. AfCFTA, with 54 signatory countries, aims to boost intra-African trade, industrialization and economic transformation by removing tariffs on 90% of goods and simplifying cross-border trade. For Nigeria, the AfCFTA offers an opportunity to reduce its […]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has renewed the operational licence of the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN). In a letter dated 16 January 2025, the NCC confirmed the renewal of MCSN’s licence to operate as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) for musical works and sound recordings. The renewal has been made in accordance with […]

On 2 December 2024, the Patents and Designs Registry announced that its filing platform would be temporarily unavailable due to ongoing data updates. During this time, users could not access the platform for services. Once the updates were completed, applicants could request backdating of their applications to reflect priority dates. The Registry apologised for the […]

Between July and December 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) stepped up efforts to combat counterfeit products, seizing and destroying goods worth N120 billion (approximately $80 060 312) across the country. The operation uncovered large-scale counterfeiting operations and targeted a variety of counterfeit items including medicines, food, and drinks, with significant […]

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Nigeria Office has partnered with the Japan Patent Office to create two initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development in Nigeria and to encourage innovation. The IP Labs 2.0 and IP for Green Innovation projects were launched early in November 2024 and seek to provide intellectual property tools and knowledge […]

On 23 October 2024, the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria approved the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) and the implementation of the Intellectual Property Monetisation Pilot (IPM Pilot). The establishment of the CEDF highlights Nigeria’s commitment to supporting creatives in the sector by providing much needed funding with a view to encouraging growth in the […]

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has taken a decisive step towards establishing the continent’s first indigenous stock image bank, named the Nigeria Stock Image Bank (NSIB). ARCON inaugurated a 10-member Stock Image Bank Committee tasked with developing and submitting a report to lay the groundwork for implementing the stock image bank. The report is […]

From 28 to 30 May 2024, the World Trade Organisation, in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, hosted a 3-day national workshop on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (“the TRIPS Agreement”). Although Nigeria has been a signatory of the TRIPS Agreement since 1994, the provisions of the […]

From 28 to 30 May 2024 a national workshop on the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS), organised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria was held at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, in Abuja. Although Nigeria has been a signatory […]

23 April heralds the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day around the world, a day dedicated to celebrating books and their authors and creating awareness around the copyright that vests in such works. This year’s theme “Read your way” was aimed at highlighting the empowerment that comes with reading, from the perspective of both […]

Mrs Stella Ezenduka, Chief Registrar of the Patents and Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria, has retired from her position. During her time as the Chief Registrar, she was actively involved in overseeing the protection and administration of patent and design rights in Nigeria. Following […]

Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the Nigerian economy through the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ This agenda aims to foster economic growth, attract foreign direct investment, and promote the production of goods and services for both local consumption and export. […]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to combatting book piracy through proper record keeping and profiling of booksellers, printers, and publishers. Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of NCC, highlighted the fact that the new Copyright Act empowers the commission to attach the illegal proceeds of individuals involved in book piracy. He stressed […]

IPLAN’s recent debate explores Nigeria’s potential adoption of the Madrid trade mark registration system. IPLAN debate sheds light on Nigeria’s potential adoption of the Madrid system On 14 December 2023, the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN) organized a debate entitled “The Madrid International Trademark Registration System: Nigeria to Join or Not”. This debate […]

Nigeria has the potential to become one of the largest export markets for the US creative sector. Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary for economic and business affairs, United States department of state, says the US government is willing to invest in Nigeria’s creative economy. The U.S. mission in Nigeria has been supporting the Africa International Film […]

In the recent case of Ekpenyong v The National Assembly & 2 Others, the Federal High Court of Nigeria declared the existence of the Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) unconstitutional. The APC was established in 2020 as an administrative tribunal intended to resolve disputes arising from the operation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act or its […]

On 31 August, African Traditional Medicine Day, established by the World Health Organisation African region, honours the integral role of traditional medicine in the health and welfare of generations of people on the continent. The event serves as a platform for member states to discuss best practices, groundbreaking evidence, and innovative solutions that showcase the […]

The Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2023 (BFA) was promulgated on 14th of February 2023, which had a causal effect on various laws, including the Nigerian Trade Marks Act 1965. The BFA amended the definition of “goods” in the Trade Marks Act, to include “services”, thereby expanding the scope of protection under the law and […]

On 14 February 2023 the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2023 (BFA) was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is aimed at facilitating business operations and promoting the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The BFA made amendments to 21 business facilitation laws and also brought about changes to the Nigerian Trade […]

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has taken a hard line against infringement of literary works by enforcing harsher penalties as part of its national anti-piracy campaign. Mr John Asien, the NCC Director-General, addressed the need to increase enforcement, as well as having the necessary mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of copyright, during a […]

An urgent meeting was held at the Patents and Designs Registry on March 9, 2023 between the Chief Registrar, Officials of the Registry and Nigerian Agents to discuss certain aspects of filing processes within the Registry which have been reviewed.

Nigeria enacts Copyright Act, 2022 to repeal the Copyright Act, 2004 The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, signed the Copyright Bill, 2022 into law on 17 March 2023.  This Act, that will presumably be known as the Copyright Act of 2023, repeals the Copyright Act of 2004. A statement issued by the Office of the […]

A letter dated 12 January 2023 and issued by President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed the renewal of Dr. John Asein’s tenure as Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. Dr. Asein’s tenure was renewed for a second and final tenure of four (4) years. The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) congratulated Dr. John Asein […]

Inaugural meeting of the drafting committee for Trade Mark Practice Directions. Renewal of tenure of the DG of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. Drafting committee for Trade Mark Practice Directions The Nigerian Trade Marks Registry has constituted a five-person drafting committee, in collaboration with various stakeholders, to work towards preparing a long-awaited, draft practice directive for […]

The Coalition Against Counterfeit Pharmaceutical products (CACCP), Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NiroPharm) and Pfizer are looking to work together with relevant stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry in the fight against counterfeit pharmaceutical products in Nigeria. The initiative was presented at its inaugural forum where the way forward in the fight against pharmaceutical products […]

The Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has cracked down on illegal book vendors, seizing 1,600 copies of pirated books from four stores in Abuja, totaling more than N2 million. The Commission’s effective anti-piracy operation was the result of intelligence obtained during a monitoring exercise by its operatives, who had the assistance of armed police officers. Three […]

The Nigeria Start-up Bill has been signed into law by President Buhari. This has led to the introduction of the Nigerian Start-up Act making it the nation’s first piece of law aimed specifically at the registration and operation of start-ups. The Bill, which aims to regulate how start-ups and regulatory organisations function and cooperate in the […]

Ms Lorreta Asiedu, a senior counsellor of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), recently led a delegation in Nigeria to visit Abubakar Malami, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. The purpose of the visit was to seek the Minister’s support on WIPO’S efforts in developing and adopting the National IP Policy […]

The Director-General of Nigeria Copyright Commission (“NCC “), announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria (“FAAN”) which aims to curb the sale of goods which infringe copyright at the national airports in Nigeria. The Director General of the NCC, raised concerns that numerous books and DVDs […]

On 29 July 2022, the National Assembly passed the Copyright Bill. This follows the passing of the Bill by the House of Representatives on 27 July 2022 and the Senate on 6 April 2022. The new Bill provides for the effective regulation, protection and administration of copyright in the digital economy in line with best […]

The Nigerian government has entered into a 3-year exclusive intellectual property right agreement with Developing Africa Group (DAG), a UK-based intellectual property rights commercialisation organisation, to build a national wallet for the commercialization of registered intellectual property. Users in Nigeria will be able to upload any registered intellectual property rights to the platform where they can trade, […]

The Federal High Court in Lagos has held that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) acted beyond its powers by seeking to regulate advertising in Nigeria, which is contrary to the provision of the Advertising Practitioners Act of 2004. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa held that the NBC lacks the power to prohibit exclusivity on privately acquired intellectual […]

Brand Africa hosted the  12th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2022 awards in Lagos, Nigeria on 26 May 2022, ranking the top 100 most admired brands in Africa. African brands have increased by 4-17% from an all-time low of 13% in 2020 and 2021. South Africa’s lifestyle footwear brands, Bathu ranked at number 52 and Drip  at number […]

The Nigeria Copyright Commission, located in Abuja, destroyed pirated works in a public display in the state of Akwa Ibom, assisted by the State Waste Management Board.  The pirated works not only included books, CDs and the like, and also infringing items such as electronic cables and decoders, which were seized by the Commission over […]

On 6 April 2022, the Senate in Nigeria passed the Copyright Bill,which aims to ensure that copyright laws in Nigeria will be in line with best practices in respect of the regulation, protection and administration of copyright, especially in the digital economy, and to align with Nigeria’s obligations under its international agreements. The Bill seeks […]

For over a month now, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has been on strike. This has caused a complete closure of all courts throughout the country. Unfortunately, this means that an already overburdened judicial system will be placed under further pressure when operations resume. There is currently no indication as to when the courts will […]

The Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 had not been significantly changed for thirty years, until President Buhari assented to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 on 7 August 2020. The much needed developments aim to address the rapidly transforming corporate landscape in Nigeria.  Company and business name disputes in Africa are not […]

INTA Workshop Promotes Further Positive Changes at the Registry Following last year’s release of the first-ever compendium of trade mark opposition rulings by the Registry, a workshop with senior trade mark officials was held in Abuja, in collaboration with INTA. Simon Brown (partner) and Kelly Thompson (partner), together with local lawyers and a team from […]

There are currently 6 WIPO External Offices worldwide. The first WIPO External Office in Africa was successfully opened less than a year ago in Algiers, Algeria and preparations for the opening of a second WIPO External Office in Africa are underway.