Nigeria has joined the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as the 80th member of the leading international standard-setting organization in plant variety protection (PVP).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed Nigeria’s instrument of accession to the 1991 Act of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, with the accession taking effect on March 27, 2025.
Welcoming Nigeria’s accession, the Acting Registrar of the Plant Variety Protection Office, Nigeria (PVP) Office, Dr. Okelola Folarin stated:
“By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.1 billion, with Africa—particularly Nigeria—experiencing one of the highest growth rates. As food demand rises, providing farmers with access to high-quality seeds is crucial to ensuring food security. In acceding to UPOV, plant variety protection will drive the continuous development of improved, high-yielding, and climate-resilient crop varieties, benefiting both farmers and the broader agricultural and horticultural sectors.”
UPOV Vice Secretary-General Yolanda Huerta congratulated Nigeria. "By joining UPOV, Nigeria will attract investment in plant breeding, expand access to improved plant varieties for all farmers, and harness PVP as a powerful catalyst for national development. This milestone is not just a win for Nigeria but for the entire global community. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact this will have on agricultural innovation and food security in the region.”