The European Union (EU) announced an investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit goods entering West Africa and beyond, with findings identifying Nigerian seaports as a major conduit for this illicit trade that infiltrates international markets.
- The EU has launched an investigation into counterfeit goods prevalence in West Africa, identifying Nigeria as a major transit and source point.
- The report categorizes Nigeria among “Priority 3 countries,” with significant challenges in intellectual property enforcement.
- The EU emphasizes the necessity of institutional reforms for Nigeria to align with global trade standards and bolstered IP protection.
According to the 2025 EU Report on the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Third Countries, Nigerian seaports are emerging as key transit hubs for importing and re-exporting counterfeit goods, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and fashion items, raising fresh concerns about consumer safety, public health, and the integrity of international trade.
The report categorizes Nigeria among eight nations classified as “Priority 3 countries,” alongside Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
These countries are seen as posing serious challenges in intellectual property (IP) enforcement, adversely affecting European businesses and markets.
“Nigeria’s large seaports serve as maritime gateways for importing fake products to West Africa, including falsified medical products,” the report stated
The influx of counterfeit pharmaceuticals is particularly flagged as a severe public health risk, especially in regions with limited regulatory enforcement.
In addition to health products, the EU cautions that Nigeria is increasingly involved in the trafficking of counterfeit electronics and electrical goods, largely from China, which are distributed regionally and internationally, including into European markets.
“Nigeria is a transit point for fake electronics and electrical equipment produced in China for re-export to other Western African economies as well as the EU,” it said
Notably, the report highlights that Nigeria serves not only as a transit point but also as an exporter of counterfeit goods. Citing a joint OECD-EUIPO study, “Global Trade in Fakes” (June 2021), the EU identifies Nigeria as a source of counterfeit leather items, handbags, footwear, perfumes, cosmetics, and clothing.
IP enforcement faces hurdles
While the EU say it recognizes some progress made by Nigerian authorities to strengthen IP laws and enforcement, it however highlights ongoing systemic challenges: Lengthy court processes, limited technical expertise, bureaucratic delays, and weak institutional capacity are undermining efforts to protect intellectual property rights.
“Protracted IP litigation spans several years preventing rightholders from obtaining effective remedies. Police and customs authorities reportedly suffer administrative bureaucracy which impacts IPR enforcement” the report continued. .
Further criticism was extended in view of Nigeria’s delay in ratifying key international treaties such as the Madrid Agreement and Protocol on the international registration of trademarks, and the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on industrial designs.
According to the EU, Ratifying these agreements would bring Nigeria’s IP framework closer to international standards.
The report’s release coincides with Nigeria’s efforts to boost trade relations and establish itself as a regional economic hub. However, the EU cautions that without robust enforcement and institutional reforms, Nigeria risks remaining a conduit for counterfeit goods, potentially harming regional trade and international partnerships.
The EU’s warning underscores the importance of strengthening IP protection to support Nigeria’s economic ambitions and global trade integration.
“In addition, this report includes information on countries with which the EU has already concluded or is about to conclude free trade agreements and where one or several concerns related to the IP provisions of the agreements remain and require further monitoring,” it declared.
Olamilekan Okebiorun
