PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Nigeria

Nigeria has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since September 02, 1963, and a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since May 8, 2005. Furthermore, Nigeria is also a signatory to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). The ongoing review of Nigeria's intellectual property laws in alignment with the TRIPS Agreement is set to bring about significant reforms and the implementation of various obligations.

In Nigeria, the deadline for entering the PCT national phase is 30 months from the priority date.

The official language for patent application in Nigeria is English. All application documents must be submitted in English at the time of filing.

In Nigeria, there is no option to extend the deadline for filing a late patent application.

Power of Attorney: The Power of Attorney should be submitted at the time of filing the application. It does not need to be legalized or notarized.

There are no cost exemptions available for patent applications in Algeria.

In Nigeria, there is no formal "request for examination" process for patent applications. The Nigerian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) automatically conducts a formal examination once the application is filed, without the need for a separate request from the applicant.

Annual fees are due each year from the filing date, but payment is required only after the patent is granted. The fee must be paid within three months prior to the due date. However, it is possible to make the payment within a six-month grace period following the due date, along with the applicable surcharge.

In Nigeria, a patent is valid for 20 years from the application filing date.

Nigeria holds a remarkable position, ranking 113th out of 133 economies in the GII 2024. Among the 38 economies in the lower-middle-income group, it proudly stands at 27th. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria claims an impressive 12th place out of 27 economies. With an average GII score of 22.49 points from 2011 to 2024, Nigeria shines in several key areas. It excels in Human Capital and Research, securing a commendable 78th place, Creative Outputs with an impressive 87th ranking, and Business Sophistication, where it ranks a noteworthy 107th.

Nigeria is known for its cultural diversity, with over 250 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. The country is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and gas, making it one of Africa’s largest economies. Despite economic potential, Nigeria faces challenges such as political instability, corruption, and regional conflicts. It is also a cultural powerhouse, famous for its Nollywood film industry, Afrobeat music, and vibrant literary scene.