Introduction
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment has launched the National Intellectual Property Policy & Strategy (NIPPS) to modernize its intellectual property framework, align with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requirements, domesticate international treaties, and ensure Nigeria’s IP system is competitive and compliant with global standards. NIPPS also aims to unlock economic opportunities by strengthening IP governance and addressing emerging trends such as Geographical Indications (GIs), Traditional Knowledge (TK), Genetic Resources, and other critical IP domains. These pillars are designed to protect cultural heritage, foster innovation, and create value chains for trade and development. With the draft GI Bill submitted on 14 January 2025, Nigeria is positioned to lead West Africa’s GI agenda, provided government and industry act swiftly to pass the law, establish a registry, and pilot flagship products in line with NIPPS.
Definition and Introduction of the GIs System
Launched on 17 December 2025, NIPPS is the culmination of a reform process initiated in 2020. Its development was anchored on a two-stage methodology: an IP Audit to diagnose structural and institutional gaps within Nigeria’s IP ecosystem, followed by the design of a strategy to address those gaps through targeted legal, institutional, and market-oriented interventions. Within this framework, Geographical Indications emerge not merely as a regulatory innovation but as a strategic commercial instrument, capable of boosting rural economies, enhancing product differentiation, and supporting Nigeria’s participation in regional markets. Alignment with the AfCFTA IP Protocol further strengthens the potential for mutual recognition and expanded intra-African trade in GI-protected products.
Under Article 22.1 of the WTO TRIPS Agreement, a GI is an indication that identifies a product as originating from a specific territory, region, or locality, where a quality, reputation, or other characteristic is essentially attributable to that origin. For Nigeria, this means transforming cultural identities, such as Ijebu Garri, Nsukka Yellow Pepper, Okpa Nsukka, Aso Oke, Yaji, and Ofada Rice, into bankable value chains. GIs protect origin-linked products, create premium markets, and prevent the misappropriation of these products.
The AfCFTA IP Protocol, adopted in 2023, seeks to harmonize intellectual property rights across Africa, including trademarks, patents, traditional knowledge, and Geographical Indications. It provides a framework for cross-border IP recognition, enforcement, and cooperation, ensuring that origin-linked products enjoy protection and market access throughout the continent. Although Nigeria has ratified the main AfCFTA Agreement, formal ratification of the IP Protocol has not yet been publicly confirmed or deposited. However, NIPPS positions Nigeria to implement the Protocol’s objectives even before ratification by strengthening legal frameworks, building institutional capacity, and promoting commercialization strategies.
To operationalize GI protection, the Federal Government constituted the National Technical Working Group on Geographical Indications (NTWG-GI), which completed a draft Geographical Indications Bill and submitted it to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment on 14 January 2025 for review and onward transmission to the National Assembly. The Bill is the legal cornerstone for establishing a National GI Registry, defining registration procedures, and enabling international cooperation aligned with AfCFTA IP Protocol standards.
Benefits and opportunities of the GIs System
GI protection offers significant benefits. Producers and small businesses can command premium prices, enjoy stable demand, and strengthen bargaining power. Local communities gain through job creation, youth retention, and increased participation of women in economic activities. Consumers benefit from authenticity and quality assurance, while the government secures non-oil export diversification, rural development, and an enhanced global reputation for quality. Under the AfCFTA IP Protocol, these benefits extend beyond Nigeria’s borders, creating opportunities for regional branding and trade.
Challenges to the GIs Implementation
GI implementation faces challenges such as legislative delays, capacity gaps, low producer awareness, and counterfeiting. These challenges are tackled by the law reform, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder engagement contained in the NIPPS framework. It is important for the government to leverage NIPPS to fast-track the GI Bill, fund the registry, and integrate GIs into export strategies. Industry should organize producer groups, draft product specifications, and adopt traceability systems. Development partners can support NIPPS by providing technical assistance, co-financing infrastructure, and empowering women-led cooperatives.
Conclusion
NIPPS gives Nigeria the policy scaffolding to build a modern GI system covering legislation, institutions, skills, enforcement, and commercialization, while connecting it to the AfCFTA IP Protocol for cross-border recognition and intra-African trade growth. If government and industry act swiftly, Nigeria can transform cultural identity into bankable value chains, protect local communities from misappropriation, and lead West Africa’s GI agenda under AfCFTA.
Marvis Oduogu is a Team Lead in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Sector at Stren & Blan Partners, Chibudike Anene is a Senior Associate while Chinenye Martins is an Associate in the same sector.
Stren & Blan Partners is a full-service commercial Law Firm that provides legal services to diverse local and international Clientele. The Business Counsel is a weekly column by Stren & Blan Partners that provides thought leadership insight on business and legal matters.
Connect with Stren & Blan Partners:
Website: www.strenandblan.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/strenandblan
Twitter: twitter.com/Strenandblan
Instagram: instagram.com/strenandblan
