Artificial intelligence systems are increasingly used in Nigerian businesses, from customer service chatbots and credit scoring models to automated hiring tools and content moderation systems. Nigeria does not yet have dedicated AI legislation, but the existing legal framework already has implications for AI deployment. What Existing Law Says The NDPA 2023 Automated decision-making that has…
E-commerce has grown rapidly in Nigeria, with platforms facilitating billions of naira in transactions annually. Yet many Nigerian e-commerce businesses operate with poorly drafted terms, unclear refund policies, and inadequate consumer protection mechanisms. Legal Framework E-commerce in Nigeria is governed by the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the FCCPA 2018, the Cybercrimes Act 2015, and the…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a series of regulatory frameworks that collectively define the compliance obligations of fintech companies operating in Nigeria. Whether you are running a payment service bank, a mobile money operator, a lending platform, or a cryptocurrency exchange, understanding the applicable CBN frameworks is essential to lawful operation. The…
The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA) marks a significant shift in how personal data is regulated in Nigeria. Unlike its predecessor, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR), the NDPA is a full Act of the National Assembly with binding force, a dedicated regulatory body, and a clearer enforcement framework. Every business that processes…
In 2024, a buyer paid the sum of N100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) to a developer to purchase a parcel of land in Lagos. Upon receipt of full payment, the developer neither executed a Deed of Assignment nor delivered possession of the land.
The Investments and Securities Act 2025 (the Act) resolves, at the level of primary legislation, a question that has occupied regulators across multiple jurisdictions: the legal status of digital assets. Under Nigerian law, virtual and digital assets are now brought within the statutory definition of securities.
Surrogacy is a complex assisted reproductive technique that offers hope to individuals and couples who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. A surrogate, also called a gestational carrier, agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple, known as the intended parent(s).
Businesses should document who owns commissioned work, employee-created materials, software, designs, and content before those assets become commercially important. Copyright questions are often ignored because the work already exists and appears usable. That assumption can become expensive when a business later seeks investment, licensing revenue, or enforcement against infringement. The safest approach is to align…
An IP licensing agreement should state what rights are granted, where they may be used, for how long, on what commercial terms, and what happens when the arrangement ends. Licensing can unlock value without transferring ownership, but only if the boundaries are clear. Poorly drafted licences often create uncertainty around exclusivity, territory, sublicensing, quality control,…
Trademark registration helps businesses protect names, logos, and other brand identifiers by giving them a clearer basis to prevent confusingly similar use. A brand may become valuable long before a business realises it needs formal protection. That is why trademark review should happen early, especially before major marketing spend, expansion, licensing, or investor engagement. The…
A withholding tax clause helps the parties state clearly how deductions, remittances, evidence, and any gross-up obligation will be handled in the contract. Tax disputes in contracts often begin with silence. One party assumes payment is net of withholding tax. The other assumes the agreed amount will be received in full. If the contract does…
Tax audit readiness depends on records that are organised, reconciled, and capable of supporting the positions taken in filings and transactions. Businesses often treat tax audits as rare events. In reality, audit readiness should be part of routine governance. The most difficult issues usually arise where invoices, contracts, payroll records, withholding tax treatment, and ledger…