Nigeria
Trademark Registration in Nigeria (NG): Protect Your Brand in Africa’s Largest Market
Trademark registration in Nigeria gives you the exclusive right to use your brand across Africa’s most populous country. Applications are filed with the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment under the Trade Marks Act, Cap. T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Nigeria is not part of the Madrid System, OAPI or ARIPO, so a national filing is the only route. Our trademark consultants handle search, filing and follow-up for businesses in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and abroad.
On this page
Nigeria trademark registration at a glance
- IP office
- Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry, Commercial Law Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja
- Law
- Trade Marks Act, Cap. T13, LFN 2004, and Trade Marks Regulations
- System
- Registration-based; unregistered marks rely on passing off
- Classification
- Nice Classification, edition applied
- Multi-class filing
- No, one class per application
- Madrid Protocol
- Not a member; national filing only
- Language
- English
- Opposition period
- 2 months from publication in the Trade Marks Journal (not extendable)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months from filing to certificate
- Validity
- 7 years from the filing date, then renewable for 14-year periods
- Official fees
- NGN 28,500 (about USD 17) per class to registration
- Power of attorney
- Simply signed by an authorised officer; no notarisation or legalisation; scan accepted
* Timelines assume no objections or oppositions. Laws change, so contact us to confirm current requirements.
Why register your trademark in Nigeria
Africa’s largest consumer market.
Nigeria has more than 200 million people and a fast-growing retail, fintech and consumer goods sector. Lagos is a launch market for brands entering West Africa.
No regional shortcut.
Nigeria is outside the Madrid System, OAPI and ARIPO. A registration elsewhere in Africa gives no rights in Nigeria.
Registration makes enforcement practical.
Without registration you must prove reputation in a passing-off action. A registered mark lets you sue for infringement and work with regulators and customs.
Required by distributors and regulators.
Distributors, franchise partners and product regulators often ask for proof of trademark ownership before you can trade.
Our trademark services in Nigeria
End-to-end support from our licensed in-country attorneys, from the first search to lifelong protection.
Trademark search
Availability search of the Nigerian register before you file.
Trademark registration
Class selection, specification drafting, filing and follow-up to certificate.
Examination response
Replies to Registry queries and refusals.
Opposition
Filing or defending oppositions after publication.
Renewal and recordals
Renewals, assignments, registered users and changes of name or address.
Trademark watch
Monitoring of the Trade Marks Journal for conflicting marks.
Why choose Legacy Partners Global as your trademark consultants in Nigeria
- Local agent in Nigeria: filings go through a Nigerian legal practitioner registered as a trademark agent.
- Active file tracking: Nigerian applications move slowly; we chase acceptance, publication and certificate issue.
- Opposition and objection experience: we handle the steps after filing, not only the filing.
- Africa planning: we coordinate Nigeria with OAPI, ARIPO, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt.
- One point of contact: our Dubai office manages your Nigerian filing with your other markets.
A qualified attorney reviews every enquiry within one working day.
Trademark registration process in Nigeria
Here is how to register a trademark in Nigeria, step by step.
Here is the step-by-step process followed for trademark registration in Nigeria.
Search and classify (1–2 weeks)
We run an optional availability search at the Registry. We map your goods and services to the correct class.
File the application (same day)
We file online through the IPO Nigeria portal with a scan of the power of attorney and the mark image. You receive an acknowledgement with the filing number and date.
Examination and acceptance (3–9 months)
The Registry checks registrability and conflicts with earlier marks, then issues an acceptance letter or a refusal.
Publication and opposition (2 months)
Accepted marks are published in the Trade Marks Journal. Third parties may oppose within 2 months; this period cannot be extended.
Registration and certificate (several months after publication)
With no opposition, the registration fee is paid and the certificate issued.
Renewal
Protection runs for 7 years from the filing date, then renews for 14-year periods.
Ready to file in Nigeria?
File your trademarkStart your application in a few minutes. Nothing is filed until you approve the written quote.
Documents required for trademark registration in Nigeria
Power of attorney (authorisation of agent), simply signed by an authorised officer; a scan is enough
Applicant’s full name, address, nationality and legal form
Clear image of the mark in JPG format (for logos)
List of goods or services
Priority document, if you claim Paris Convention priority within 6 months of a first filing abroad
Power of attorney requirements for foreign applicants in Nigeria
Foreign applicants in Nigeria need only a simply signed power of attorney, signed by an authorised officer of the company. No notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation is required. A scanned copy is accepted for online filing through the IPO Nigeria portal. Applicants based outside Nigeria must file through a Nigerian legal practitioner registered as a trademark agent, which we arrange. We send a ready-to-sign power of attorney the same day you instruct us.
Trademark registration fees in Nigeria
The Registry’s official fees for trademark registration in Nigeria are charged per class, and each application covers one class only. Acceptance and publication are included in the filing path, with no separate fee.
| Official fee (per class) | NGN | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Availability search (optional) | 2,500 | 1 |
| Filing fee | 16,750 | 10 |
| Registration and certificate fee | 11,750 | 7 |
| Total official fees to registration | 28,500 | 17 |
| Renewal fee (every 14 years) | 15,500 | 9 |
| Late renewal surcharge | 9,500 | 6 |
Fees last checked: 15 October 2026. USD at about USD 1 = NGN 1,700, rounded; the naira rate changes often. Contact us for a fixed written quote for your filing.
Timeline, validity and renewal
How long registration takes
A straightforward application takes 12–18 months from filing to certificate. Objections or oppositions add time. Your rights date back to the filing date once the mark is registered. Registration first lasts 7 years from the filing date and is then renewable for 14-year periods without limit. The renewal window opens 3 months before expiry. If you miss it, the Registry publishes a notice of non-payment in the Journal, and you have 1 month from that notice to renew with the late surcharge.
Validity and renewal
All trademarks registered has intial validity for 7 (seven) years from the filing date and may be renewed for successive 14 year period.
Trademark law and IP office in Nigeria
Trademarks in Nigeria are governed by the Trade Marks Act, Cap. T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and the Trade Marks Regulations. The Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry, part of the Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, examines and registers marks. Accepted marks are published in the Trade Marks Journal. Nigeria is a member of the Paris Convention but not the Madrid System, OAPI or ARIPO. Unregistered marks can be protected through a passing-off action. Trademark disputes go to the Federal High Court.
Use requirements and non-use cancellation
You do not need to use a mark before filing in Nigeria. After registration, an interested party can seek removal of a mark not used for a continuous period of five years without good reason. Keep dated invoices, packaging, advertising and online listings that show the mark in use in Nigeria.
Opposition, objections and appeals
Registry objections.
If the Registry refuses or requests changes, you reply in writing or ask for a hearing within x months.
Opposition.
Any person can oppose a published mark within 2 months of publication in the Trade Marks Journal; the period cannot be extended. The applicant files a counter-statement, both sides file evidence, and the Registrar decides after a hearing.
Appeals.
Decisions of the Registrar can be appealed to the Federal High Court within x days.
Trademark enforcement and infringement in Nigeria
A registered trademark gives you the legal standing to stop copycats in Nigeria. Without registration, you must rely on a passing-off claim and prove your reputation first.
What counts as infringement.
Using an identical or confusingly similar mark for goods covered by the registration, selling counterfeit products, or importing goods bearing your mark without consent.
Your enforcement options
- Cease-and-desist letter: often the fastest way to stop a local infringer.
- Civil action: claim an injunction, damages or an account of profits, and delivery up of goods before the Federal High Court. Anton Piller orders allow surprise seizure of evidence.
- Regulatory action: NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria act against counterfeit food, drugs and consumer products.
- Criminal penalties: counterfeiting and false trade description can lead to fines and imprisonment.
- Customs measures: work with the Nigeria Customs Service to stop counterfeit imports at ports.
- Online takedowns: remove infringing listings on marketplaces and social media.
Defending your registration.
Watch the Trade Marks Journal and oppose conflicting marks within the 2-month window.
How Legacy Partners Global helps.
Our trademark consultants in Nigeria handle investigations, cease-and-desist letters, oppositions, regulatory complaints and coordination with litigation counsel.
What to know before filing in Nigeria
One class per application.
Each class needs its own filing and fees, so plan your class list and budget together.
Plan for 12–18 months.
File early; your rights date back to the filing date once registered.
7 years first, then 14.
The first term is 7 years from filing, and the late-renewal grace period is only 1 month from the Registry’s notice; diarise renewals carefully.
File before you appoint a distributor.
Register before signing with a Nigerian distributor, franchisee or retailer.
Client stories
Businesses that trust us with their brands across borders.
We had an excellent experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration and brand protection services in India. Their expert team guided us throughout the filing process, ensuring accurate documentation, timely updates, and seamless support. Their professionalism and intellectual property expertise gave us confidence in protecting our brand identity while supporting our expansion into new markets.
Mohammed Ashkar AliMouzy
We had a seamless experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration services in Bahrain. Their professional team provided excellent support throughout the trademark filing process, ensuring timely updates, accurate documentation, and smooth coordination. Their expertise in intellectual property and brand protection services helped us secure our brand identity with confidence.
SabirK.K Food Product
* Client stories are shared with permission.
Trademark registration in Nigeria: FAQ
How long does trademark registration take in Nigeria?
About 12–18 months from filing to certificate if there is no objection or opposition.
How much does trademark registration cost in Nigeria?
Official fees total NGN 28,500 (about USD 17) per class to registration, plus NGN 2,500 for an optional search. Contact us for a fixed written quote.
How long is a Nigerian trademark valid?
7 years from the filing date, then renewable for 14-year periods without limit.
Can I file one application for several classes?
No. Each class needs a separate application with its own fees.
Do I need a local trademark agent or consultant in Nigeria?
Yes. Applicants based outside Nigeria file through a Nigerian legal practitioner registered as a trademark agent.
How do I choose a trademark consultant in Nigeria?
Check that they work with a registered Nigerian trademark agent, track files actively, handle oppositions, and quote official and professional fees separately.
Is an OAPI, ARIPO or Ghanaian trademark valid in Nigeria?
No. Nigeria is not part of OAPI or ARIPO, and each country is separate. You must register in Nigeria.
What can I do if someone copies my trademark in Nigeria?
Send a cease-and-desist letter, sue in the Federal High Court, or ask regulators and customs to act. Online takedowns help too.
Does Nigeria follow first-to-file?
Registration generally goes to the first applicant, but an earlier user may still claim passing off. File early to avoid disputes.
Do I need to use my trademark before filing?
No. But a mark unused for five years after registration can be removed.
Do I need to register my trademark in English?
The application is filed in English. The mark itself can be in any language.
Can I register a trademark in Nigeria through the Madrid Protocol?
No. Nigeria is not a Madrid member, so a national filing is the only route.
What documents do I need, and does the power of attorney need notarisation or legalisation?
A power of attorney simply signed by an authorised officer, with no notarisation or legalisation; a scan is accepted. We also need applicant details, the mark image and your list of goods or services.
Insights on Nigeria IP protection
NigeriaTrademark registration in nearby countries
Register your trademark in Nigeria today
Speak to our trademark consultants in Nigeria. Send your mark and we will reply with a free search and a fixed written quote within one working day.
Reviewed by Hashim Wafa, Trademark AttorneyLicensed trademark attorney
This page is general information, not legal advice. Official requirements and fees can change; we confirm the current position for your matter before filing.
