Registering a Fashion Trademark in Nigeria

Registering a fashion trademark in Nigeria means applying to the national trademarks registry to protect your brand name or logo for clothing and related goods. It is a separate step from registering your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and many designers don't realize they need both.

This guide explains how to prepare a strong application, where to apply and what to do while you wait. A protected name helps buyers find the real you, especially online. Once they find you, our guide to virtual try-on for African fashion brands shows how to help them buy the right fit.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Speak with a lawyer or registered trademark agent before you file.

Why does a fashion brand need a trademark?

A trademark is a sign, such as a name, logo or slogan, that tells customers who made a product. For a fashion brand, it's the label that buyers look for and recommend to friends.

Without protection, you may find:

• A market stall in Balogun or Ariaria selling copies with your label sewn in.
• An Instagram page using your brand name with stolen photos.
• Another brand registering a name close to yours and asking you to stop using it.

A registered mark gives you a stronger footing when you ask platforms, sellers or courts to act. A lawyer can explain exactly what rights registration gives you in Nigeria.

Is CAC registration the same as a trademark?

No. They are handled by different offices and do different jobs.

	CAC registration	Trademark registration
Who handles it	Corporate Affairs Commission	Nigeria's trademarks registry (iponigeria.com)
What it records	Your business or company	Your brand name or logo for specific goods
Typical use	Bank accounts, contracts, tax	Stopping others using a confusing mark

Our guide to choosing between a CAC business name or limited company covers the business registration side.

How do you choose a name and logo that can be protected?

Strong marks are distinctive. Weak marks describe the product.

• Weak: "Lagos Ankara Wear" or "Best Native." These describe what you sell and where, so others have a fair claim to similar words.
• Stronger: an invented word, a family name used in a distinctive way, or a word that has nothing to do with clothing.

Before you fall in love with a name, check:

1. CAC's public search at icrp.cac.gov.ng/public-search for business names that match or sound alike.
2. Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp Business for accounts already using it.
3. Google for brands in Nigeria, the UK and the US using it, especially if you sell to the diaspora.
4. The trademarks registry for existing marks. Your lawyer or agent can run a formal search.

How do you prepare a trademark application?

Gather these before you meet your lawyer or agent:

• The exact mark. The name as you spell it, plus a clean digital file of the logo.
• The goods and services you sell. Note which of clothing, footwear, headwear, bags, jewelry or tailoring services you offer. Your adviser will ask exactly what the mark should cover, so list everything you sell or plan to sell soon.
• Owner details. The person or registered business that will own the mark. Decide this carefully, because it's harder to change later.
• Proof of use. Dated photos of labels, hangtags, packaging and social posts. Keep these even if they aren't asked for now.

Your adviser will confirm the current forms, fees and steps with the registry. Check the registry's site for updates before you file.

What can you do while the application is pending?

Trademark applications can take a while. Use that time well.

• Use your mark consistently. Same spelling, same logo, same colors on labels, posts and packaging.
• Keep records. Save invoices, order screenshots and dated photos that show your brand in use.
• Secure the handles. Register the matching Instagram, TikTok and domain names.
• Watch for copies. Set a monthly reminder to search your brand name online and in markets.

Some brands also check their tax setup at this stage, so their paperwork is in order as they grow. Our guide to VAT registration for fashion brands covers what to ask your accountant.

What should you do if someone copies your brand?

Stay calm and collect evidence before you act.

1. Screenshot everything, with dates, links and account names.
2. Buy a sample if copies are sold in a market, and keep the receipt.
3. Report fake accounts through the platform's own reporting tools.
4. Speak to your lawyer before sending a warning letter, so the wording is right.

Tell your customers how to spot your real pages and products. A pinned post listing your official handles and WhatsApp number helps.

What other tools should a new brand set up?

A registered mark is part of a bigger setup that includes invoicing, client records and a clear online store. Our guide to the first tools to set up lists what to put in place first.

ZeDaq.ai helps with the day-to-day side. You get a client CRM, measurements collected through a link, orders with a delivery calendar and invoices in NGN, GBP or USD, all in the ZeDaq Business app for iOS and Android. Online stores can add virtual try-on and size recommendations. Every paid plan has a 3-day free trial with no card required.

FAQs

Can I trademark a name that is already registered with CAC by someone else?

A CAC business name and a trademark are separate records, so you need to check both. Ask a lawyer to review any conflict before you file.

Should the trademark be owned by me or my company?

That depends on how your business is set up. Decide with your adviser, because ownership affects who can sell or license the brand later.

Do I need a lawyer to register a trademark?

Check the registry's current guidance. Many brands use a lawyer or registered agent because the search and class choices affect how strong the mark is.

Does a Nigerian trademark protect my brand in the UK or US?

Ask your lawyer. If you sell to diaspora customers, check whether you also need to protect the mark in the UK and US.