Why File A Trademark in Nigeria?

Trademark law in Nigeria is administered by The Nigerian Trademarks, Patents and Design Registry located in Abuja with local state offices across the country.

Trademark registration in Nigeria provides great protection for business owners doing business or seeking to expand to the Nigerian market. It provides vigorous safeguards under the law, thereby granting exclusivity and rights of use and establishment of goodwill among clientele.

For clarity of process and better understanding among our clients, business associates, and allies, we will proceed to cover the steps involved in trademark registration in Nigeria. We believe for quiet assurance, there is value in understanding registration formalities in Nigeria including types of marks, filing process, registration, and post registration formalities.
Trademark Inservice – How to File Your Trademark in Nigeria

Nigerian Trademark Law follows a first-to-file system. Thus, the first to file their application, and first to receive an “acceptance”, becomes the owner. There is no provision for multiple class filings on a single application in Nigeria. Therefore, you must file a separate application for each class of trademark for such mark to be protected under Nigerian law.

Each Trademark application must contain:

• Applicant’s name, address and contact details.
• Details of the trademark
• Classification under which the trademark falls.

Trademarks in Nigeria: Various Types
For registration and protection, Nigeria trademark law recognizes Signatures, names, logos, labels, words, color combinations, slogans, and three-dimensional marks. On the contrary, generic marks, deceptive marks, geographical names, trademarks containing flags or marks against public interests will not be accepted for registration under Nigerian Law.