Nigeria Customs Service and INTA Collaborate to Combat Product Counterfeiting

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the International Trademark Association (INTA) have jointly committed to intensifying efforts to eliminate product counterfeiting in Nigeria. This commitment was articulated during a delegation visit by INTA to the NCS national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

The INTA delegation was received by Dr. Patience K. Iferi, Acting Deputy Comptroller-General (Strategic Research and Policy) of the NCS, who represented the Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed I. Ali (rtd.). The visiting team included Tat-Tienne Louembe, INTA’s Representative for Africa and the Middle East; Lagos-based intellectual property legal expert Akeem Aponmade; and Regina Onwumere, Associate at Aluko & Oyebode.

During the meeting, both parties expressed grave concern over the widespread presence of counterfeit goods and their detrimental impact on intellectual property rights, job creation, and public health. Dr. Iferi highlighted the pivotal role of the NCS in shielding Nigeria from various threats, including counterfeit products, and called for enhanced technical assistance from INTA. She specifically requested support in product identification, protection of indigenous products, and sensitization campaigns to raise awareness.

In response, INTA reaffirmed its readiness to deepen collaboration with the NCS. The association emphasized its Custom Connection Programme, which facilitates training webinars conducted by intellectual property rights holders. This initiative has significantly bolstered customs agents’ capacity to detect counterfeit goods. INTA also highlighted the UNREAL Campaign as part of its ongoing efforts to support enforcement agencies.

The delegation further presented an overview of INTA’s activities in Nigeria, particularly those undertaken by the Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (ACC) Nigeria Chapter. An invitation was extended to NCS representatives to participate in the upcoming ACC/INTA event scheduled for October 2017. The roundtable will focus on “Anti-Counterfeiting and Business Climate,” continuing the dialogue on effective strategies to combat counterfeiting.

The ACC/INTA Roundtable, which marked its 10th anniversary last year, convened brand owners, regulators, enforcement practitioners, intellectual property lawyers, media representatives, and entertainment industry stakeholders. The event centered on cost-effective measures and practical tactics to address counterfeiting and piracy amid prevailing economic challenges.

INTA is a global association representing trademark owners and professionals dedicated to protecting trademarks and related intellectual property. It aims to safeguard consumers and promote fair commerce worldwide. With offices in Brussels, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington D.C., and representatives in Geneva and New Delhi, INTA engages in advocacy, education, and the provision of legal resources on a global scale. The association is currently led by CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo, a national of Spain.

This renewed partnership between the NCS and INTA underscores a strategic approach to intellectual property enforcement in Nigeria, leveraging international expertise and local enforcement capabilities to combat the persistent challenge of counterfeit goods.