Ogogoro no be vodka

Familiar right? I’m borrowing that line from Asake¹ and this is not about the music.

This is about geographical indications.
Another IP law distinction?

Do you know ?
Champagne is associated with a specific region in France. Its name is protected as a geographical indication.
This means that producers from any other part of the world cannot simply call any sparkling wine Champagne.

Geographical Indications is as simple as that

Back to Ogogoro and Vodka

While Vodka has historical ties to countries like Poland and Russia, “the word itself is not exclusive to one geographical origin”.

Now, back home, we have Ogogoro.

It’s a traditional spirit with a long-standing place in Nigerian culture. But imagine if a particular community became known for producing Ogogoro with a distinctive reputation tied to its geographical origin.

Could that identity receive legal protection?

That’s where geographical indications come in. They can help protect product names whose reputation, quality or other characteristics are linked to a particular place.

Of course, not every traditional product automatically qualifies. The legal requirements must be met, and Nigeria’s framework for geographical indications deserves closer attention.

Nigeria currently has no dedicated GI law; and under Section 43 of the Trade Marks Act, producers can seek certification-mark protection by establishing a distinctive geographical name, verifiable origin or quality standards, and compliance with registration requirements.

But it makes me wonder: how many of our local products have identities and reputations worth protecting beyond our borders?

Ogogoro could a geographically protected Nigerian spirit one day have the kind of international recognition Champagne enjoys?

To me that’s a conversation worth having.
And I’ll be exploring more in coming posts; GI series begins

ROYALEGAL

#IPlawchallenge

1. Lastfm: Asake –
   Lonely at the Top
   ↩︎

Read More on GI:

• Deborah Ikonne, Bankole Sodipo and Temitope Olorunnipa, ‘Regulation of Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin in Nigeria‘ (year) volume(issue) African Journal of Law and Ethics Education
• Africa IP Summit, ‘Significance of Nigeria Draft Geographical Indications Bill‘ (Africa IP Summit, 30 April 2025)
• Chinasa Uwanna, ‘Geographical Indications in Nigeria: Realities and Recommendations‘ (Applied Commercial Law Research Hub, 23 July 2021)
• INTA, ‘Geographical Indications‘ (International Trademark Association)
• WIPO, ‘Geographical Indications‘ (World Intellectual Property Organization)