CHALLENGES TO PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN NIGERIA

Industrial property, as a branch of intellectual property law, plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, promoting fair competition, and protecting the commercial interests of creators and investors. In Nigeria, the framework for industrial property protection is largely outdated, fragmented, and poorly enforced. Despite Nigeria’s accession to international treaties such as the TRIPS Agreement and the Paris Convention, challenges persist in legislation, administration, enforcement, and public awareness. This paper critically examines the challenges to industrial property protection in Nigeria, drawing comparisons with jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and South Africa, and proffers recommendations for reform. The analysis demonstrates that unless Nigeria undertakes urgent legal and institutional reforms, the potential of industrial property to drive economic growth, industrialization, and innovation will remain largely unrealized.