Filing a trademark application in Nigeria happens entirely on one portal. The steps are short. Getting the class and the mark right the first time is what actually matters.
What you need before you start
Have the exact mark ready: the word, logo, or combination you want protected, in the form you actually use it. A small difference between the applied-for mark and your real logo can cause problems later.
You also need to know your class. The register runs 45 classes (1 to 34 for goods, 35 to 45 for services), and your protection only ever covers the class or classes you apply under.
If you have not searched for a clash yet, do that first. Our guide to checking availability covers the search step.
Creating an account and starting the application
Everything runs through portal.iponigeria.com. Create an account, then start a new application from the dashboard.
The form asks for the applicant's details, the mark itself, and the class. If the applicant is a company, use its registered name exactly as it appears on your CAC documents, since a mismatch can slow down examination.
Picking the right class
Nigeria's trademark register follows the Nice Classification, split across goods and services. Picking a class that does not match what you actually sell weakens the protection you paid for.
If your business spans more than one class, for example a product and a related service, you file a separate application for each one. Each carries its own fee.
Paying the application fee
The application fee is ₦16,750 for one class, paid when you submit. This does not include the certificate fee, which comes later, only once your mark is accepted, published, and clears its opposition window.
Together, the application and certificate fees for one class add up to more than either figure alone. Our trademark registration cost guide breaks down the full total.
What happens once you submit
After submission, the Trademarks Registry examines your application against its own records and its rules. A pass moves the mark to acceptance and then publication in the Trade Marks Journal, opening a window where anyone can object.
That whole path, from filing to registration, usually takes 12 to 18 months. Our stages explained article walks through each step in that window.
Common mistakes
- Filing the mark differently from how it is actually used. A logo filed in one colour scheme but used in another can weaken your claim.
- Choosing too narrow a class. A product sold under several categories needs an application in each one it genuinely falls under.
- Applying with the wrong entity name. A personal name on the application when the business trades under a company name causes confusion about who owns the mark.
- Assuming filing alone means you're protected. Protection only follows registration, after examination, publication, and the opposition period pass without a successful challenge.
Once your application is in, keep an eye on the compliance dates that follow it with the compliance calendar. For the rest of the regulators a growing business meets, see the SME regulators hub.