The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has announced plans to establish state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Hubs across all six geopolitical zones of the country.
This initiative was unveiled during the NOTAP South-East Stakeholders Sensitisation Workshop in Enugu, where the agency emphasized its commitment to deepening its reach and accelerating tech-driven development nationwide. Representing the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, the Head of Corporate Planning, Mr. Emeka Orji, said the workshop aimed to create awareness of NOTAP’s mandate while building stronger ties with the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Amadiobi noted that the South-East, particularly Enugu State, is rich in knowledge institutions with vast research potential. She emphasized that the Enugu zonal office is strategically positioned to transform local research into impactful, market-ready innovations through NOTAP’s advisory and support services.
One of the agency’s hallmark initiatives, she said, is its patent support service, which covers the cost of patent applications for Nigerian inventors who apply through NOTAP. This ensures protection of intellectual property and paves the way for commercialization.
The Director General also highlighted the success of strategic industry partnerships under the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF), through which 23 Nigerian researchers have already received scholarships for PhD studies in key industry-aligned areas. Additionally, the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) program has transformed labs in 10 Nigerian institutions into cutting-edge research facilities.
As part of its expansion strategy, NOTAP is piloting a new tech talent development initiative known as “Project NOVA,” with the first tech hub underway at the agency’s Abuja headquarters and the second planned for Enugu. The project aims to train a new generation of youth in tech innovation, who will be outsourced to solve real-world challenges in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Calling for more industry collaboration, Dr. Amadiobi expressed confidence that these efforts would elevate Nigeria’s STI ecosystem and foster sustainable economic growth. She encouraged researchers and innovators across the South-East to take full advantage of the Enugu zonal office for patent registration and tech commercialization support.
Delivering a goodwill message, Professor Chinedu Aguba of Enugu State University of Science and Technology praised NOTAP’s commitment to national development and pledged to promote market-driven research in Nigerian universities.
