In the highly competitive Nigerian fashion sector, where design imitation, or “copycatting,” is rampant, strategic IP protection must go beyond merely registering the brand name and logo as a Trademark.
The formal operationalization of the Open Banking framework marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s financial sector, positioning the country as a leader in Africa for adopting this collaborative system. Driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the framework establishes the foundational rules and technical standards for secure, consent-based sharing of customer financial data and services through standardized Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
The Nigerian communications landscape is currently undergoing a significant regulatory shift following the issuance of the draft Internet Code of Practice 2025 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This proposed framework introduces substantial new obligations for “Online Platforms,” a broad categorization that encompasses social media networks, digital content streaming services, messaging applications, and any intermediary facilitating user-generated content or digital services.
The Nigerian music industry, globally recognized for its vibrant Afrobeats genre, is currently undergoing a pivotal transformation in its approach to Intellectual Property (IP) following the enactment of the Nigerian Copyright Act, 2022 (the Act). This legislation is explicitly designed to address the persistent economic threat posed by digital piracy and the complexities of online content distribution, providing modern legal tools for securing artists’ remuneration.
The Nigerian House of Representatives successfully passed the Nigerian Fintech Regulatory Commission Bill (HB. 2389) for its second reading on October 28, 2025. This legislative progression is a pivotal step towards restructuring the regulatory framework governing the country’s burgeoning fintech sector. Nigeria’s current fintech ecosystem faces regulatory complexity due to fragmented oversight distributed among various agencies, primarily the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2025 is a pivotal legislative initiative in Nigeria, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. This proposed legislation is designed to establish a comprehensive and unified legal framework necessary for the nation’s digital transformation.
As the speed of technological change accelerates across Nigeria’s creative and industrial landscapes, the legal frameworks governing Intellectual Property must evolve to keep pace. At Goldsmiths LLP, we recognize that staying ahead of these shifts is critical for safeguarding your most valuable assets. Let us dive into one of the most pressing strategic challenges facing businesses today: how to secure ownership and mitigate risk when innovation is powered by sophisticated AI. We explore the current uncertainties surrounding authorship and the vital importance of implementing clear internal policies to protect your competitive edge in this new era.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has released the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 to guide the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. This directive focuses on international data transfers, clarifying that data controllers must ensure adequate protection or use approved mechanisms like binding corporate rules before transferring personal data outside Nigeria. It also establishes procedural expectations for maintaining records of transfer mechanisms and responding to NDPC compliance requests.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released an Exposure Draft of the Guidelines for Handling Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud, signalling a major shift in liability and consumer protection across the financial system. The Guidelines mandate that Financial Institutions (FIs), including banks and fintechs, must establish 24/7 reporting channels and adhere to strict timelines: acknowledging complaints within 24 hours, concluding investigations within a maximum of 14 working days, and processing mandatory reimbursements within 48 hours of resolution. The draft places clear accountability on Financial Institutions, making non-compliance a regulatory breach that will attract sanctions for both the institution and responsible individuals. This regulatory action transforms fraud management into a systemic risk that must be overseen by the Financial Institutions (FIs’) Board of Director
The Copyright Act 2022 was enacted to modernize legal protections for creative works, specifically within the digital environment. This post highlights the expanded enforcement powers of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).