Annual patent applications in Nigeria
Nigeria: Annual patent applications was 410 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in Nigeria, 1985–2020
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual patent applications in Nigeria is 410, measured in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.6% on the previous year and up 540.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Nigeria peaked at 439 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 10, in 1985.
That places Nigeria 48th out of 135 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual patent applications in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 | — |
| 1990 | 12 | +20.0% |
| 2011 | 64 | +433.3% |
| 2012 | 42 | -34.4% |
| 2013 | 50 | +19.0% |
| 2016 | 85 | +70.0% |
| 2017 | 100 | +17.6% |
| 2018 | 382 | +282.0% |
| 2019 | 439 | +14.9% |
| 2020 | 410 | -6.6% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 410 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47, 8.7× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 410 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8, 51.2× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 1990s | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 |
| 2010s | 166 | 42 | 439 | 7 |
| 2020s | 410 | 410 | 410 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More science & technology data for Nigeria
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 70.76 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.7076 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 164.65 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 246.4 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -28.14 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -26.63 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 9,799 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Nigeria?
- Annual patent applications in Nigeria was 410 in 2020, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual patent applications recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 439 in 2019.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 10 in 1985.
- How does Nigeria rank for annual patent applications?
- Nigeria ranks 48th out of 135 countries with data for 2020.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 540.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual patent applications. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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