To fast-track development in all sectors of the Nigerian economy, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion NOTAP has charged Nigerian researchers to concentrate on research that can translate into tangible goods and services to expedite national development.
Speaking at a one-day Patentees Forum organised by NOTAP in collaboration with Hansy Slems Global Resources Limited in Ikeja Lagos State, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi said that Nigerian researchers and Innovators are key to the economic development of the Country if they engage more on market-driven research rather than conventional one.
“In carrying out her statutory responsibilities, the office realised that there is a weak Intellectual Property (IP) system in the Nigerian knowledge Institutions and as a Country that is desirous of becoming a global player in the Intellectual Property (IP) ecosystem and the situation is unacceptable.
“To change the trajectory and launch the Country into the world IP limelight, NOTAP in 2006, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), initiated the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in the Nigerian knowledge Institutions.
“This was aimed at creating IPR awareness and ensuring that research carried out in our knowledge institutions are not just for academic and career progression, but to transform the (R&D) to goods and services,” she said.
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In a press statement by the Principal Public Relations and Protocol Officer NOTAP Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu, the DG noted that before NOTAP intervened in creating IP awareness in Nigerian Universities and research establishments, there was poor utilisation of research and development (R&D) results emanating from the Nigerian knowledge institutions occasioned by insufficient knowledge its importance, hence allowing them to waste on the shelves.
The NOTAP boss emphasised that the office’s intervention in Nigerian knowledge Institutions is yielding unquantifiable results as patents have started coming from their research undertakings.
She added that the agency has assisted over 340 Nigerians in patenting their inventions free of charge.
“This is indeed the reason for this gathering to further x-ray the steps the Nigerian researchers need to take after securing their patents,” she said.
She reiterated the importance of patenting research results to the IP development of every nation, adding that no matter the commercialisation potentials an invention or innovation may possess, no venture capitalists will invest their money in such invention, adding that patents indicate ownership.
“I encourage the patentees to think beyond patent because securing a patent was just the beginning of the journey; the real challenge lies in transforming the patent into viable products and services for the benefit of humanity.”
She expressed delight that with the hosting of the Patentee Forum in Lagos State, representing the South-West region, the office has successfully organised this forum in various regions of the Country, including South-South, North-East, and North-Central Zones as well as the South-East.
The DG used the opportunity to extend her gratitude to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Patent Registry, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and Bank of Industry (BOI) for their invaluable contributions towards the success of the programme since its inception.
In her paper presentation titled “After Patent What Next,” the Director of Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination department, Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu said that NOTAP is ready and committed to ensuring the growth of Intellectual Property in Nigeria but needs more support from both government and private establishments.
She said that the growth of the nation’s economy depends largely on knowledge as the world emphasis has been shifted from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
“For us to achieve the desired economic blueprint and the renewed hope agenda of the present administration, more attention should be focused on critical research.”
Mrs. Anie-Osuagwu encouraged the patentees to interact passively and exchange ideas, challenges, and progress made to spore others to action.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, represented by the IPTTO coordinator, Olayinka Adewumi; the President of the Association of Nigerian Inventors, Mr. Lawrence Nzenagu; the representative of the Bank of Industry, Lagos State, Mr. Uchechukwu Ojiegbe and other dignitaries also commended NOTAP.
