Articles/Publications

Articles

THE IMPACT OF SECTION 43(2) OF THE PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT 2021

The introduction of the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) in Nigeria created intellectual property (IP) right incentives to breeders as well as an access to foreign collaboration. The lack of a regulatory framework protecting IP in new plant varieties had discouraged foreign collaboration and partnerships with plant breeders in Nigeria.

Articles

Plant Breeder’s Rights Under Nigeria’s Plant Variety Protection Act 2021

Modern plant breeding and improved agricultural techniques have enabled impactful yields in the agricultural sector, which were previously not recorded. Conversations have been had on how developing countries can key into opportunities associated with plant variety breeding, of which establishing regulatory and institutional frameworks that support plant breeding and protection of new varieties of plants have been at the fore.

Articles

Contract Staff as a Means of Reducing Employer’s Staffing Cost – A Misconception or a Reality?

There is a growing usage of the word “Contract Staff” in the Nigerian employment space. This is highly attributed to an understanding that contract staffing is a means of resolving budgetary concerns of employers.

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Banking Regulation Newsletter – April 2021

In April, 2021 the CBN made a very significant policy initiative by extending its credit risk management system (CRMS) to other financial institutions (OFIs) aside from commercial banks, mortgage banks and non-interest banks.

Articles

Banking Regulation Newsletter – March 2021

In March 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) once again re-emphasised its aggressive policy direction on diaspora remittances, as an important measure for addressing the perennial foreign currency squeeze. The Apex Bank has introduced a short-term Naira to Dollar policy to incentivize foreign currency remittances. The CBN also issued a new circular on the regulatory forbearance granted in 2020 (as part of the COVID-19 intervention) for the restructuring of credit facilities of other financial institutions.

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Japan Outbound Investment Guide – Intellectual Property, Immigration & Regulations for foreign innovators in Nigeria

Nigeria has recently reviewed and amended two principal laws regulating investments in the country: The Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, which primarily regulates corporate entities, and the Finance Act 2021, which governs applicable taxes.

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The Finance Act: What Businesses in Nigeria Should Know

In this first series, we would be discussing the changes and innovations on a sector-by-sector basis as introduced by the Finance Act of 2020 (‘the Act’), which was signed into law on 31st December 2020 and came into effect on 1st January 2021.

Articles

Podcast: Investment Migration Ep.2

Articles

Covid-19 Vaccine: Mandatory or Optional For Employees?

It is no longer news that about five pharmaceutical companies worldwide have rolled out vaccines for the prevention and treatment of the Covid-19 virus.

Articles

Banking Regulation Newsletter – January 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN” or “the Bank”) issued some circulars and framework documents between November 2020 and January 2021, thus further demonstrating the banking regulator’s policy direction.

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Wrestling with Counterfeits in Africa and the Position of Unregistered Trademarks

For many African countries and Africa as a whole, one could easily say that the fate of fair competition and Intellectual Property (IP) rights protection in trade development is largely dependent on the fight against counterfeits.

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Trade and Commerce in West Africa and How it Influences IP Rights

To do business in Africa, it is important to understand how African countries conduct trade and commerce among themselves and with the rest of the world.