The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) advocates for enhanced funding for research institutions to foster rapid growth within Nigeria’s Intellectual Property (IP) system. The call to action was delivered by Dr. Idoreyin Imiyoho, the acting Director General of NOTAP, through Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu, the Director of Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination, during a one-day training workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) and related matters in Sokoto for the North-western region of the country.
Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu highlighted the critical importance of the training, emphasizing that the global focus on economic sustainability has transitioned from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one. She noted that aligning with the current administration’s renewed agenda, Nigeria aims to shift from a consumption-driven economy to a production-oriented one.
Dr. Idoreyin Imiyoho emphasized the importance of IP protection for researchers and institutions, highlighting the potential financial benefits of patenting inventions.
“Inventions and innovations are products of research,” Dr. Imiyoho stated, “and research is carried out in knowledge establishments. There’s an urgent need to invest in these institutions to propel critical market-driven research, not just research for academic advancement.”
The workshop also addressed the issue of past exploitation of Nigerian research by foreign entities. NOTAP is actively working to raise awareness about IP protection and has established 66 Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) within Nigerian knowledge institutions.
However, she stressed that Nigerian researchers should patent their invention as their financial breakthroughs could be hidden in their research undertakings.
The training workshop had five technical papers presentations, over forty participants and IP stakeholders in attendance.
