Geneva, Switzerland
March 3, 2025

>> Le Nigéria devient le quatre-vingtième membre de l’Union internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales (UPOV)

>> Nigeria wird das achtzigste Mitglied des Internationalen Verbandes zum Schutz von Pflanzenzüchtungen (UPOV)

>> Nigeria se convierte en el 80º miembro de la Unión Internacional para la Protección de las Obtenciones Vegetales (UPOV)
 

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 Nigerian Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Office, Mr. Folarin Sunday Okelola 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.”

ABOUT UPOV

UPOV plays a vital role in fostering cooperation amongst its members, ensuring transparency, and providing a platform for continuous development of global standards.

The UPOV Convention provides the basis for plant breeders to receive fair remuneration for their work in the development of new plant varieties. This creates an enabling environment that builds trust and collaborations with all the stakeholders across agricultural value chains.

Website: http://www.upov.int

Published: March 5, 2025