In Nigeria, an industrial design can be protected by registration, with the Nigerian Patents and Designs Registry. The Patents and Designs Act governs the registration of industrial designs and according to the Act, an industrial design is registrable if it is new and not contrary to public order or morality.

In Nigeria, the following designs are non-registrable;
a.Works of sculpture other than casts or models used or intended to be used as models or patterns to be multiplied by any industrial process.
b.Wall plaques and medals
c.Printed matter primarily of a literary or artistic character, including book-jackets, calendars, certificates, coupons, dressmaking patterns, greeting cards, leaflets, maps, plans, postcards, stamps, trade advertisements, trade forms, cards transfers, and the likes.

A trademark is a sign used to identify the products or services of a particular company, whereas design is the appearance of a good. Although being different, they do not exclude one another and therefore it is possible to obtain both simultaneously. 3D trademark registration is recommended if the shape is not only able to characterize a company but it is also abstract enough to function as a logo (e.g. bottle of Coca-Cola). Nonetheless, it is important to note, that the conditions and the period of legal protection are different in the two cases. 
The registration of an industrial design is effective in the first instance for five years from the date of the application for registration, and may also be renewed, on payment of the prescribed fee, for two further consecutive periods of five years. Accordingly, the registration of an industrial design can last for a period of fifteen years.
While the registration of a trademark is for an initial period of seven years but can be renewed, on payment of the prescribed fee, thereafter from time to time for a period of fourteen years at a time in accordance with the Act.