How can I trademark a business in Nigeria?

Trademark registration in Nigeria is regulated by the Trademark Act LFN 1990. Trademark registration protects a brand/trade name, slogan, label, domain name, shape, colour, logo, etc from competitors and other firms using same or similar name. It relatively distinguishes and protects a trade symbol from others and prevents others from violating or copying the uniqueness of the registered trademark.

What are the procedures for registering trademark in Nigeria?

1. Conduct trademark name search to ascertain the availability of the trade name.
2. Complete trademark application form and submit the application to CAC. A trade name search can also be done after the application has been sent.
3. An acknowledgment letter is issued after a favourable search, and it serves as initial evidence of an ongoing trademark registration.
4. An acceptance letter will be issued for trademark publication
5. The trademark will be published on a trademark journal to enable any pre-existing trademark (but not registered) to stop the registration within two (2) months of publication. In absence of any opposition or opposition query resolved, a certificate of
   registration will be issued and granted, proving all processes are completed.
   

What are the requirements for registering a trademark in Nigeria?

1. The applicant information i.e., company or individual name, nationality, office,
   or home address, contact number, passport photographs and the class of
   good or services sought to be registered.
2. The signature of the applicant
3. Invented word(s), logo, symbol to be proposed for trademarking (More than
   three names can be proposed by you for application to avoid the stress of going back and forth)

What are the requirements for registering a trademark in Nigeria?

Trademark registration may take up to 1 year to be fully completed. However, upon the
issuance of an acceptance letter in about 4 to 6 weeks of start date, you are guaranteed of the protection you need to be able to trade in your goods or services. Each of the steps involved in trademark registration takes time. Below is an indication of how long it will take you to register your trademark in Nigeria.

The issuance of acknowledgement letter takes 24 hours after application
submission
 The issuance of acceptance letter takes 4-6 weeks after the issued
acknowledgement letter
 Trademark publication on trademark journal is usually done within 32 weeks
of acceptance
 Trademark Certificate is obtainable 12 weeks after the publication.

Are you considering starting a company in Nigeria? Check out our article on setting up a company as a foreigner in Nigeria.

How much does it cost to register a trademark in Nigeria?

Below are the charges for trademark registration in Ghana

1. Name search – 2,000 Naira
2. Processing Fee- 17,00 Naira
3. Certificate Fee – 12,000 Naira

Registering a trademark needs keen legal expertise and understanding the processes which can be quite rigorous. The trademark registration process can be done via the Ministry of Industry and Investment or a Commercial Law Department/Firm. You can learn more by visiting http://nid.fmiti.gov.ng/ for more information.

How can I renew my trademark in Nigeria?

Having acquired a trademark for a subsisting period of 7 years you are equally entitled for
renewal upon expiration date and subsequently granted 14 years validity period.

What documents are needed to renew trademark registration in Nigeria

To apply for a trademark renewal, you are required to provide the documents below;
 Trademark Certificate
 Evidence of payment
 Power of attorney appointing the agent

How much is the trademark renewal fee in Nigeria?

The trademark renewal filing fee is US$20.

Registering the trademark for your goods or services makes you globally competitive and positions you to tap the huge Nigerian market.
We hope this article has been beneficial to you. In case you still need any further clarification, please
contact us and we will be delighted to assist.