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Trademark renewal Nigeria

Despite successfully registering a trademark in Nigeria, brand owners must periodically renew it to keep their exclusive rights. Nigerian trademarks are not permanent; they are valid for an initial term of seven years from the filing date and may be renewed indefinitely every 14 years thereafter. Section 23 of Nigeria’s Trade Marks Act specifies that registration lasts seven years but may be renewed from time to time; upon application, the Registrar renews the registration for 14‑year periods. Failing to renew by the due date means the mark may be removed from the register, and the proprietor loses exclusive rights. In this guide we explain the renewal process, fees, deadlines and frequently‑asked questions for trademark owners in Nigeria.

Importance of renewing a Nigerian trademark

A trademark distinguishes a company’s products or services from those of competitors. Nigerian law grants exclusive rights only when the mark is registered and renewed. If a mark is not renewed after its seven‑year registration term, the Trademark Registrar may remove it from the register. Once removed, the owner risks losing the mark to third‑party applicants and cannot enforce rights against infringers. Renewal ensures uninterrupted protection and maintains the commercial value of a brand.

Consequences of not renewing

  • Lapse of rights. The proprietor loses the exclusive right to use the mark and cannot prevent others from adopting it.
  • Risk of third‑party registration. After removal, competitors may register the same or similar mark.
  • Additional costs. Re‑registering a lapsed mark requires filing a new application and paying full fees again, in addition to potential litigation costs.
  • Public record. The Trade Marks Act allows marks removed for non‑payment to remain visible on the register for one year; they still block later filings but may be restored only under strict conditions.

Nigerian trademark renewal fees

The Nigerian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) publishes official fees for trademark transactions. Its Fees and Charges schedule lists a fee for renewal of registered trademarks and a separate penalty for late renewal. According to the official schedule:

Service Fee (NGN)
Renewal of registered trademarks ₦12,000
Penalty for late renewal ₦5,000
Certified true copy of renewal certificate ₦8,000

Additional costs

  • Service/attorney fees. Owners who hire a trademark agent (required for foreign applicants) must pay professional fees, which vary by firm. For example, the online manual by Global IP Co estimates a renewal cost of NGN 14,910 (about $160) per class when handled through its PayAnnuity system.
  • Late‑payment surcharge. If renewal occurs during the grace period, the official penalty of ₦5,000
  • Restoration fee. If the mark has been removed from the register, further fees are payable when applying for restoration.

The commission of Pocket IP for trademark application service is 200 USD per trademark.

Payments are accepted in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and PLN (at the client’s request). Both bank payment and card payment are available.

Request trademark renewal in Nigeria

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Advantages of trademark registration with Pocket IP
With Pocket IP all trademark renewal procedure takes a few minutes and a couple of clicks.
The costs for the procedure are transparent and shown straight away.
Current trademark status and information are shown immediately for free. The status of a trademark could be checked on your own 24/7.
Add a trademark to the list of your objects and receive a notification when the trademark renewal procedure becomes available and never miss the deadlines.

How to renew a trademark in Nigeria online

Pocket IP offers trademark renewal services in Nigeria.

Firstly, add the information on your trademark to our service.

The service will offer the option to request a renewal if a trademark is in a renewal period. The fees are calculated automatically according to the current exchange date.

For renewal of trademark, a simply signed POA is required, scanned copy (draft POA and instructions will be provided by service).

Trademark renewal timeline

Renewal period opens
Renewal period opens
3 months before expiration
Nigerian IP regulations allow renewal applications to be filed not more than three months before the expiration date. Owners should prepare documents and pay the renewal fee during this window to avoid penalties.
Expiration date
Expiration date
Under Section 23 of the Trade Marks Act, the registration lasts seven years from filing and may be renewed thereafter. Renewal requests filed on or before this date are processed without penalty.
Grace period
Grace period
1 month after the Registrar’s notice
The Registrar publishes a notice of expiration in the Trade Marks Journal. Late renewal is permitted within one month after the advertisement if the renewal fee and penalty are paid. This is sometimes referred to as a “grace period.” Some practitioners suggest that late renewal may be accepted beyond this one‑month period until the mark is removed from the register.
Restoration possible
Restoration possible
If a mark is removed for non‑payment, Section 23(4) provides that for one year after removal it is deemed to remain on the register. During this one‑year “restoration” period the proprietor may apply to restore the mark by paying the renewal fee and penalties, subject to the Registrar’s discretion.
Renewal no longer possible; new application required
Renewal no longer possible; new application required
If the owner fails to renew or restore the mark within one year of its removal, the only option is to file a new trademark application. The original registration is lost; a new filing starts a fresh 7‑year term.

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FAQ

No. The Trade Marks Act allows trademarks to be renewed indefinitely, provided the renewal fee is paid on time. Each renewal extends the registration for 14 years.

Yes. Assignment or licensing of trademarks is permitted. A trademark assignment can be registered by the proprietor or an authorised agent. Licensing (registered user agreement) is also permitted, and any changes in ownership or license should be recorded with the Registry.

Actual use of the mark is not required at filing, and registration can be obtained based solely on an intention to use. However, a mark can be removed from the register if it has not been used for five consecutive years. Evidence of use is not required for renewal, but non‑use can be raised by third parties in cancellation proceedings.

Yes, foreign applicants must be represented by a registered Nigerian trademark attorney. Nigerian residents may file directly but often engage agents to ensure compliance with filing formalities.

No. The Registrar does not require proof of use when renewing a mark. Nevertheless, a mark may be cancelled if it is not used for five consecutive years.

Nigeria does not permit multi‑class trademark registrations. Each class must be renewed separately, and the official fee is payable per class.

Typically, you need:

  1. Certificate of registration or last renewal certificate.
  2. Authorisation of agent (for foreign applicants).
  3. Proof of payment of the renewal fee and any penalty.

The Registry does not require proof of use for renewal.

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