📌 Quick Summary: A trademark registration in Nigeria is filed through the Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPO) — previously called NIPO or the Trademarks Registry — under the Trade Marks Act (Cap T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004). Government filing fees start at ₦15,500 per class. The total all-in cost including agent fees, publication in the Trademark Journal (₦50,000), and certificate issuance ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦350,000 for one class. Timeline: 12 to 24 months to full registration. This is the complete step-by-step guide — what a trademark is, how it differs from CAC business name registration, the 8-step process, costs at every stage, the 45 classes, what can and cannot be registered, and the most common mistakes that get applications rejected.
Every Nigerian business owner who has registered with the CAC has made a critical error of assumption that could cost them everything their brand is worth: they believe their CAC business name registration protects their brand. It does not. Your CAC certificate gives you the right to legally operate a business under that name. It does not give you the exclusive right to use that name commercially. Another business — in a different state, or in the same industry — can register the same or a very similar name with the CAC tomorrow. Without a registered trademark, you have no legal recourse. This guide explains exactly what trademark registration is, why it matters, and how to do it in Nigeria in 2026.
What Is a Trademark? The Plain-Language Definition
A trademark is a legally registered sign — which can be a word, a name, a logo, a slogan, a colour combination, a sound, or any combination of these — that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of another. In Nigeria, trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act (Cap T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) and registered through FIPO. Once registered, a trademark gives its owner the exclusive right to use that mark in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered in Nigeria. That exclusive right is enforceable in court — meaning you can take legal action against any person or business that uses a confusingly similar mark without your permission.
CAC Registration vs Trademark: The Critical Difference
| Feature | CAC Business Name Registration | FIPO Trademark Registration |
| What it does | Registers your business as a legal entity in Nigeria | Protects your brand identity — name, logo, slogan |
| What it protects | Your right to operate a business under that name | Your exclusive right to use that mark commercially |
| Coverage | Administrative — for business banking, contracts, grants | Legal — prevents competitors using similar marks |
| Enforcement | Cannot sue for brand infringement with CAC alone | Can sue for trademark infringement in Nigerian courts |
| Symbol | None | ® (registered trademark symbol) |
| Government cost | Free (SMEDAN scheme) or ₦10,000–₦50,000 | ₦15,500+ per class (government fees) |
| Total all-in cost | Free to ₦50,000 | ₦150,000–₦350,000 per class (agent + government) |
| Who issues it | Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) | Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPO) |
| Do you need both? | Yes. CAC first (required to operate), then FIPO trademark (to protect your brand) | |
What Can Be Registered as a Trademark in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s Trade Marks Act allows registration of a wide range of marks. You can register: a word or combination of words (your brand name, a product name, a slogan); a logo or device (your business logo, an icon, a graphic element); a letter or number combination (stylised initials, a memorable alphanumeric mark); a shape or packaging (the distinctive shape of a product or its container, provided it has acquired distinctiveness); a colour combination (provided it functions as a brand identifier rather than merely a descriptive element); and a sound mark (a distinctive audio identifier — less common but registrable). Three-dimensional marks and combinations of colours are also registrable under the Act.
What Cannot Be Registered
The Trade Marks Act prohibits registration of marks that: are descriptive of the goods or services (you cannot trademark the word “Fresh” for a juice brand); are deceptively similar to an already registered mark; consist exclusively of common shapes or packaging; are contrary to public morality or law; are identical to national flags or official emblems; or lack distinctiveness. The most common rejection reason in Nigerian trademark applications is similarity to an existing registered mark — which is why the clearance search (Step 1 below) is not optional.
The Nice Classification System: 45 Classes Explained
Nigeria uses the Nice Classification system — an international standard that divides all goods and services into 45 classes. You must register your trademark under the specific class or classes that cover your goods or services. Registering in the wrong class means your trademark does not protect you in your actual market. Here are the key classes most relevant to Nigerian small and medium businesses:
| Class | Covers | Typical Nigerian Business Type |
| Class 3 | Cosmetics, cleaning preparations | Beauty brands, skincare, soap makers |
| Class 5 | Pharmaceuticals, medical preparations | Pharmacies, supplement brands, herbal product makers |
| Class 16 | Paper goods, printed materials, stationery | Publishers, printing businesses, stationery brands |
| Class 25 | Clothing, footwear, headgear | Fashion designers, clothing brands, shoes |
| Class 29 | Processed food — meat, fish, dairy, vegetables | Food processing businesses, packaged food brands |
| Class 30 | Staple foods — flour, bread, confectionery, beverages | Bakeries, snack brands, drink producers |
| Class 32 | Beers, non-alcoholic beverages | Soft drink brands, juice companies, water brands |
| Class 35 | Advertising, business management, retail services | Marketing agencies, consultancies, retail businesses |
| Class 38 | Telecommunications services | Tech startups, communication service providers |
| Class 41 | Education, entertainment, publishing | Schools, training companies, media brands |
| Class 42 | Technology services, software, IT services | Tech companies, software developers, app builders |
| Class 43 | Food and drink services — restaurants, catering | Restaurants, caterers, food service businesses |
| Class 44 | Medical and beauty services | Hospitals, clinics, beauty salons, spas |
| Class 45 | Legal and personal services | Law firms, security services, dating services |
If your business operates across multiple classes — for example, a fashion brand that also sells cosmetics — you must file separately in each relevant class. Each class has its own government fee of ₦15,500 and its own agent fees.
The Complete Cost Breakdown: What You Will Actually Pay
Trademark registration in Nigeria involves fees at four different stages, paid to two different parties — FIPO (the government) and your trademark agent. The total is not paid all at once.
| Stage | Government Fee | Typical Agent Fee | When Paid |
| Trademark availability search | ₦5,000–₦15,000 | ₦15,000–₦50,000 | Before filing |
| Application filing (TM2 form) | ₦15,500 per class | ₦50,000–₦150,000 | At filing |
| Trademark Journal publication | ₦50,000 | Included in most agent packages | After acceptance |
| Certificate issuance | ₦5,000–₦8,000 | Included in most agent packages | At certificate stage |
| Total all-in (one class) | ₦75,500–₦88,500 | ₦65,000–₦261,500 | ₦150,000–₦350,000 total |
Agent fees vary significantly. Be cautious of unusually low quotes — they often exclude the Trademark Journal publication fee (₦50,000) or the certificate fee, which appear as surprise additional charges later. Ask any agent to provide a full itemised cost breakdown covering all four stages before engaging them.
Step-by-Step: How to Register a Trademark in Nigeria in 2026
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Availability Search
Before filing anything, conduct a clearance search to confirm your desired mark is available — that no identical or confusingly similar mark is already registered in your chosen class. This search is conducted at FIPO’s Trademark Registry. You can do it yourself by visiting FIPO’s office at Plot 1181, Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja, or engage a trademark agent to conduct it professionally. The search costs ₦5,000–₦15,000 in government fees. Do not skip this step — filing without a clearance search and then being rejected for similarity to an existing mark wastes your entire filing fee with no refund.
Step 2: Classify Your Goods and Services
Determine which of the 45 Nice Classification classes cover your goods or services. Use the table above as a starting guide. If in doubt, a trademark agent can advise on the correct classification. Filing in the wrong class is one of the most common reasons Nigerian trademark applications are rejected or end up providing no real protection.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents
Assemble the following before filing: your full applicant information (full name, nationality, and address — for individuals — or company name, RC number, and registered address — for companies); a clear, high-quality representation of your trademark (for logos and device marks: JPEG format, minimum 1,200 dpi resolution; for word marks: the exact text in the intended font or standard text); a specific description of the goods or services the trademark will cover; and a Power of Attorney if you are using a trademark agent to file on your behalf. The Power of Attorney must be signed by the applicant — it does not require notarisation for Nigerian applicants.
Step 4: Complete and File Application Form TM2
Download Form TM2 from FIPO’s office or obtain it from your trademark agent. Complete it accurately with all required details. File the completed form along with your trademark representation and supporting documents at FIPO. The government filing fee of ₦15,500 per class is payable at this stage. FIPO has been developing its online filing infrastructure — verify the current accepted filing method (online portal, physical submission, or a combination) directly at fipo.gov.ng before preparing your documents.
Step 5: Await Examination by FIPO
After filing, FIPO examines your application to verify it meets the legal requirements — distinctiveness, availability, correct classification, and completeness of documents. This examination process currently takes 6 to 18 months. If FIPO raises an objection or examination query, you will receive a formal notice and must respond within the specified timeframe (typically 2 months from the date of the notice). Failure to respond within the deadline results in the application being deemed abandoned. A trademark agent who files on your behalf should monitor for objection notices and alert you immediately.
Step 6: Publication in the Trademark Journal
If FIPO accepts your application after examination, it is published in the official Trademark Journal — Nigeria’s government gazette for trademark applications. Publication gives the public an opportunity to oppose your registration within 60 days. The publication fee is ₦50,000. Most trademark applications proceed without opposition. If opposition is filed, the matter is heard before FIPO’s Registrar — a process that adds significant time and cost to registration.
Step 7: Receive Your Certificate of Registration
If the opposition period passes without challenge, FIPO issues your Certificate of Trademark Registration. The certificate issuance fee is ₦5,000–₦8,000. The certificate confirms the trademark is registered in your name for the specified class and goods/services for an initial period of 7 years, renewable every 14 years thereafter.
Step 8: Renew Every 14 Years
A Nigerian trademark registration lasts 7 years from the application date, then renews for 14-year periods. Renewal fees are payable to FIPO before the renewal deadline — late renewal attracts a surcharge. Your trademark agent should maintain a renewal calendar. A lapsed trademark that is not renewed can be removed from the register and become available for registration by another party.
How Long Does Trademark Registration Take in Nigeria?
The current realistic timeline for trademark registration in Nigeria is 12 to 24 months from filing to receiving your certificate — longer if FIPO raises examination objections or if an opposition is filed during the journal publication period. The process is not fast. This is why trademark protection in Nigeria is best started early — before your brand grows large enough to attract imitators who will register similar marks before you do. Many Nigerian businesses discover this lesson the hard way when they become successful enough to attract counterfeiters and find they have no registered trademark with which to take legal action.
Do You Need a Trademark Agent?
Technically, you can file a trademark application in Nigeria without an agent. Practically, most business owners benefit from using a registered trademark agent or intellectual property law firm — particularly for the availability search, correct classification, and monitoring for examination objections. The risk of DIY filing is missing an examination objection notice (which results in the application being deemed abandoned) or misclassifying the goods and services (which results in a registration that provides no real protection). Agent fees range widely — from ₦65,000 to ₦260,000 above the government fees for a straightforward single-class application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does trademark registration cost in Nigeria in 2026?
Government fees for one class total approximately ₦75,500–₦88,500 (search + filing + publication + certificate). Adding agent/attorney fees, the total all-in cost for one class ranges from ₦150,000 to ₦350,000. Costs increase proportionally for each additional class registered.
What is the difference between FIPO and NIPO?
FIPO (Federal Institute of Industrial Property) is the current name of the government agency that registers trademarks in Nigeria. It was previously known as NIPO (Nigerian Intellectual Property Office) or the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry under the Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. All three names refer to the same agency — FIPO is the current official designation.
Can I register a trademark in Nigeria without a lawyer?
Yes — you can file directly at FIPO without engaging a trademark agent or lawyer. However, using a registered trademark agent is strongly recommended to conduct the clearance search correctly, classify your goods and services accurately, and monitor for examination objections during the process.
How long does a Nigerian trademark last?
The initial registration period is 7 years from the application date. After that, it renews for 14-year periods on payment of renewal fees. A trademark that is maintained and renewed can last indefinitely.
Is CAC business name registration the same as trademark registration?
No — they are completely different protections. CAC business name registration gives you the right to legally operate a business under that name. FIPO trademark registration gives you the exclusive right to use that name or mark commercially and to take legal action against imitators. You need both: CAC first (a legal requirement to operate), then FIPO trademark (to protect your brand).
Where is FIPO’s office in Nigeria?
FIPO’s Trademark Registry is located at Plot 1181, Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja. Verify current office hours and filing procedures directly at fipo.gov.ng before visiting, as filing procedures have been evolving with the development of FIPO’s online infrastructure.
Sources
- Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPO) — fipo.gov.ng
- Trade Marks Act Cap T13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
- Nice Classification — World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) — wipo.int/classifications/nice
Last updated: 02 September 2026 · NaijaSabi Business Desk. Government fees and FIPO procedures are subject to change — verify current fees and filing methods directly at fipo.gov.ng before beginning your application.
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