(De)-Bureaucratisation of Intellectual Property Administration in Nigeria

This article examines administration of intellectual property in Nigeria under the Nigerian Patent Office, Nigerian Copyright Commission and various government agencies that administer various types of intellectual property rights that affect them. The article observed that administration of intellectual property creates “bureaucratic administrative logjam” which affects the efficacy of the two main administrative organs (Nigerian Patent Office and Nigerian Copyright Commission) and also affects the ability of Nigeria to effectively implement reform agenda for intellectual property. The article highlights some discrepancies in Nigerian national law that may affect its ability to leverage on the World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) which would enable the gains from increased investments, trade in agriculture, development in biotechnology and allied industries. The article therefore advocates for Nigerian intellectual property to be de-bureaucratised by harmonising the rights under the proposed Nigerian Intellectual Property Commission (NIPCOM) for the system to take advantage of the synergy