The Nigerian Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo says Geographical Indications will play a major role in helping Nigerian producers generate great value for their products.
Mr Adebayo said this during the opening of the EU Nigeria Conference on Geographical Indications on Nigerian made project in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said Nigeria has a strategic ambition to position itself as a major supply chain partner to key off-taker nations.
According to the Minister, “We can boast of a wide variety of products that can be classified as GI, these range from the popular Ijebu garri to Nsukka Yellow Pepper, the Sokoto Red Skin Goat and the famous Yauri Onions.
“Geographical indications provide opportunities for some of Nigeria’s most impoverished areas to participate in the exportation of non-oll products, earn fair compensation and drive much needed development.
“Unfortunately, poor knowledge of geographical Indications and the absence of a specific legal framework have rendered our unique products more vulnerable to misappropriation,” she said.
Mr Adebayo stated that the government was committed to ensuring that Nigeria exports more finished goods that the conference will go a long way in helping Nigeria establish an enabling environment for the growth and expansion of the country’s national GI products.
The head of service of International Cooperation, EU Intellectual Property Office, EUIPO, Mr Ignacio De Medrano explained the EUIPO is in Nigeria to implement a programme that will enable the country establish legal frame work and protection for its agricultural products.
“Here in Nigeria we are convinced that with the protection of geographical Indications thus will have a potential to increase the price, export and tourism in Nigeria because of the quality of the products you have here,” he said.
Geographical indications are signs used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Confidence Okwuchi
Nigeria to grow National Geographical Indication Products