The Need for Protection of Traditional Knowledge under the Nigerian Intellectual Property Framework

Abstract

Traditional knowledge is evolving in the intellectual property regime. It is a practice where people 
showcase their traditional expertise in traditional medicine, traditional herbs, research in traditional ideas 
and values change, and general traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation. The 
article aims to showcase the importance and contribution of traditional knowledge in society and why 
practitioners deserve recognition under intellectual property laws. The methodology adopted in the article 
is doctrinal, in that the available intellectual property laws were examined vis-à-vis articles written on the 
subject to ascertain how far traditional knowledge gained recognition under the extant intellectual property 
laws in Nigeria. It was found that the Nigerian intellectual property law has not adequately made concrete 
provisions for the protection of traditional knowledge in Nigeria despite the contribution of traditional 
knowledge practitioners. On the strength of the foregoing, it was recommended that there should be a legal 
framework for the protection of traditional knowledge and its practitioners in Nigeria under the intellectual 
property laws. It was concluded that the lack of a legal framework to protect traditional knowledge 
practitioners exposed their work to a lack of protection and could be manipulated by unauthorized persons.