For years, getting a trademark in Nigeria felt like navigating a maze. Unclear timelines and limited visibility left many applicants unsure of what to expect. This is why in January 2025, the trademark registry in Nigeria took a giant stride towards reforming the process and procedure for trademark applications.
This was done through the introduction of a comprehensive serial numbering system, which was launched with the stated goals of improving efficiency, transparency, and traceability.
As noted above, this dynamic initiative represented a major shift in the administration of trademarks in Nigeria. The serial numbering system now applies to all new filings, renewals, amendments, oppositions, and assignments. By introducing this key change, the trademark registry in Nigeria has prioritized a strict first-come, first-served processing order. This development was designed to address the long-standing disorderliness arising from the not too clear arrangement relating to the order of filings. Applicants often had no clarity as to whether applications were treated by the registry on a first come first served basis or without any particular order.
Another key change is that it allows applicants to track the status and progress of their applications using their unique serial number on the Industrial Property Automated System (“IPAS”) platform.
Happily enough, the new system prioritizes the need to clear the backlogs of applications in the various categories which are already pending before the Trademark Registry. Again, excitingly so, the trademark registry has initiated measures, not only for the clearing of the backlogs, but also put-up arrangements which guarantee a seamless transition to the regime of serialization and numbering system.
It is expected that in the long term, the Intellectual Property (“IP”) community and stakeholders would find this reform effective and exceedingly useful as it is bound to abridge the excessively long waiting time in the processing of the various IP applications in Nigeria. It is also expected that the Nigeria Trademark Registry will be able to push the planned reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to modernize Nigeria’s IP infrastructure and support the nation’s economic reform and diversification agenda.
For the stakeholders all over the world and trademark practitioners operating in Nigeria, these changes signify a deliberate move by the Registry to positively alter its operational model.
The structural shift to a serialized, queue-based system is a notable evolution in the administration of trademark rights as applications can now be tracked as against the previous position when tracking was almost impossible.
The reforms, we must endeavor to state, reflect the registry’s published objectives of addressing operational challenges. The serial number would now become the primary identifier for all applications filed in the trademark registry in Nigeria from the commencement of operation of the guidelines and beyond.
— Authored by Chidimma Okolo (Associate) and Oluwadamilola Aderinoye (Associate)