Nigeria on EU Priority Watch List for IP Violations Amid Piracy Concerns

By LEVI JOHNSON

The European Union (EU) has placed Nigeria on its priority watch list for intellectual property rights violations, citing growing concerns about the country’s enforcement regime, piracy rates, and IP governance structure. This classification was made public on Thursday in the EU’s latest biennial report on the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Third Countries

Alongside the country, the report listed several countries with similar deficiencies, including China, India, Türkiye, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Thailand. These countries were grouped based on the severity of the threat they pose to the EU’s IP-dependent industries.

EU Identifies Nigeria as High-Risk Country for IP Violations

The European Commission’s Trade and Economic Security arm emphasized that the global increase in counterfeiting and piracy poses a serious threat to economic development. In 2023 alone, EU customs seized over 17.5 million counterfeit goods valued at nearly €811 million at its borders.

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These violations, the report stressed, are particularly harmful to sectors that rely heavily on intellectual property protections. According to the commission, IPR-intensive industries contribute nearly 50% of the EU’s GDP and over 80% of its exports.

Nigeria Among Third-Tier Priority Countries

While China was ranked as the EU’s top concern due to its scale of IP infringements, India and Türkiye followed in the second tier. The nation, alongside Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Thailand, was placed in the third tier of concern.

“Nigeria continues to pose significant risks to the protection of European intellectual property rights,” the report stated.

Despite efforts made by the country to revamp its IP framework, the European Union argues that reforms have not yet delivered tangible results.

Legislative Gaps Hinder Nigeria’s IP Progress

Although the nation adopted a National Intellectual Property Policy in 2022 and recently enacted the Nigeria Customs Service Act, the EU observed that these steps have not translated into practical improvements in enforcement.

The failure to pass the Industrial Property Commission Bill, which was introduced in 2016, remains a major setback. This bill was intended to harmonize the nation’s fragmented IP laws and establish a dedicated commission to handle industrial property matters.

“Without integrating international agreements like the TRIPS Agreement into its national legislation, Nigeria’s IP framework remains inadequate,” the report warned.

Structural and Administrative Challenges Persist

Another major criticism targeted the outdated administrative processes within the country’s Patents and Designs Registry. These processes reportedly discourage innovation by making trademark and certification mark registration difficult and time-consuming.

The report also pointed out that the nation still lacks a formal system for registering Geographical Indications, making it harder to protect region-specific products and brands.

Online Piracy and Collective Management Weaknesses

In the realm of copyright enforcement, the EU raised red flags over the rise in online piracy. It further cited poor transparency and accountability within collective management organizations.

Although the country has introduced measures like the Online Copyright Inspectors Unit, the EU report remarked that the effectiveness of such initiatives remains questionable.

“The enforcement landscape is hampered by high piracy levels and insufficient regulatory oversight,” it noted.

Nigeria’s Role in Counterfeit Trade Across West Africa

The European Commission also described the country as a transit hub for counterfeit products destined for West African markets. These goods include counterfeit medicines, electronics, and fashion items—many of which originate from China.

“Nigeria’s major seaports serve as maritime gateways for the import and trans-shipment of counterfeit goods,” the report emphasized.

Inadequate Infrastructure and Judicial Capacity

Poor funding, limited training of law enforcement, and outdated judicial infrastructure were identified as critical weaknesses. The report noted that Nigerian courts often lack the technical tools and legal expertise required to handle complex IP-related disputes.

This situation results in inconsistent rulings, discouraging both foreign and domestic investors who rely on strong IP protection mechanisms.

EU Urges Nigeria to Accelerate IP Reforms

The European Union urged the nation to speed up implementation of its national IP strategy and address legislative, infrastructural, and administrative deficiencies. The report emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between Nigerian authorities and international partners to ensure that IP rights are effectively enforced.

Conclusion

With the nation on the EU priority watch list for IP violations, the pressure is now on federal authorities to step up efforts to align local laws with international standards. Failure to act could undermine Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign direct investment and hurt its credibility in global trade circles.

As Europe tightens measures to protect its economic interests, nations like Nigeria must prove their commitment to creating a sustainable and enforceable IP ecosystem that supports innovation, protects creators, and drives economic growth.

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