The current policy thrust of the Nigerian government emphasises the need to secure a sustainable international market for products of Nigerian origin1. In line with this objective, there is a strategic need to institutionalise a comprehensive framework for the recognition, protection, and promotion of Nigerian Geographical Indications (GIS). This effort should aim to harness the unique identity of origin-linked products and ensure their competitiveness in both regional and global markets.
Understanding Geographical Indications (GIs)
Geographical Indications (GIs) as defined under Article 22.1 of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), states that GIs is:
“Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.”
In simpler terms, a Geographical Indication (GI) signifies that a product comes from a specific geographical area and possesses qualities or a reputation tied directly to that region. The relationship between a product’s qualities and its place of origin is what bestows uniqueness upon it. TRIPS sets the minimum global standard for GI protection among WTO member states. Notably, it offers a higher level of protection for wines and spirits, while providing more general safeguards for other goods. The goal is to prevent misuse or imitation of products whose identity and value are tied to their region of origin, International Framework for GIs.
In addition to TRIPS, several international treaties further regulate and promote the use of GIs:
- The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883): While broader in scope, it addresses the protection of indications of source, which are foundational to GIs.
- The Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin (1958) and its Geneva Act (2015): Administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), these instruments provide an international registration system for appellations of origin and GIs, expanding the scope and ease of cross-border recognition2.
While TRIPS provides a foundational framework for protecting GIs among WTO members, agreements like the Lisbon Agreement offer additional specific protections, especially for certain types of GIs. Notably, Nigeria is a signatory to just two treaties relevant to GIs: the Paris Convention (1883) and TRIPS (1994). However, neither of these agreements has been domesticated into Nigerian law, limiting the legal enforceability of GI protections within the country.
Nigeria’s Institutional Response to GIs system
In response to these gaps, a key milestone was reached in 2021 when the Africa Intellectual Property and Innovation Project (AfrIPI)—an EU-funded initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)—in collaboration with Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR), has supported the establishment of the Nigerian Technical Working Group on Geographical Indications (NTWG-GI), a public-private sector platform comprising key stakeholders from government ministries, private sector bodies, and IP experts.
The NTWG-GI was tasked with reviewing Nigeria’s existing legislative instruments, benchmarking them against international best practices, and developing a legal and institutional roadmap for a sui generis GI system tailored to Nigeria’s economic, cultural, and regulatory context.
After more than three years of robust consultations, in-depth research, and multi-stakeholder workshops, the NTWG-GI concluded its assignment with the development of a draft Geographical Indications Bill for Nigeria. On 14 January 2025, the NTWG-GI formally submitted the bill to Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, in Abuja, Nigeria. This marked a crucial step in the legislative journey, with the bill now awaiting onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council and eventually the National Assembly
Draft GIs Bill and Its Significance
The draft GIs Bill represents Nigeria’s first attempt at developing a comprehensive sui generis framework for the identification, protection, and commercialisation of GI products.
It provides a legal basis for stakeholders—particularly smallholder farmers and artisanal producers, to register origin-linked products, benefit from premium pricing, and gain access to protected markets. It will also provide Nigerian legislators with a solid framework to guide the enactment of GI legislation.
Supported by AfrIPI and its partners, including AITCR and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legislative Studies (NIALS), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the draft law is expected to unlock new trade opportunities while preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and biodiversity. The bill outlines mechanisms for registration, enforcement, capacity building, and international recognition of Nigerian GIs.
Looking Ahead: The Role of GIs in Nigeria’s Economic Transformation
The establishment of a GI system is more than a legal reform—it is a pathway to rural development, sustainable agriculture, and global competitiveness. GIs offer producers the opportunity to distinguish their goods, protect their traditional knowledge, and enhance the value chain from production to marketing.
From Ijebu Garri to Yaji (Nigerian Suya Spice), and Akwete Cloth to Ofada Rice and Abakaliki Rice, Nigeria is home to dozens of products with strong territorial identity and market potential. With proper institutional support, these products can emulate the success of international GI champions like Champagne (France), Darjeeling Tea (India), Rooibos Tea (South Africa) and Parma Ham (Italy).
The submission of the draft GI Bill to FMITI signals a new era of intellectual property governance in Nigeria. Once passed into law, it will pave the way for robust GI protection and enforceability, empower producers, attract foreign investment, creating employment in the rural communities and deepen Nigeria’s participation in regional and global trade—particularly under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
In conclusion, Geographical Indications represent a strategic tool for Nigeria’s sustainable development. The momentum behind the GI bill must be sustained through coordinated action from government, development partners, and the private sector to ensure that Nigeria’s origin-linked products receive the recognition and protection they deserve—at home and abroad.
- Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (2017) Report of the Sustainable Development of Nigeria Geographical Indications (GIs) Stakeholders Engagement Meeting https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326200577_A_Report_of_Stakeholders_Engagement_Meeting_on_the_Sustainable_Development_of_Nigerian_Geographic_Indications_GIs ↩︎
- World Intellectual Property Organisation and Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (2020) “The Importance of Geographical Indications to the Sustainable Development of Nigeria”, https://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/wipo_webinar_wno_2020_4/wipo_webinar_wno_2020_4_gi.pdf ↩︎
