In a bid to fast-track the deployment of 5G technology in the country and ensure the creation of over one thousand (1,000) high-tech jobs for the teaming Nigerian youth, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) is entering into a strategic bilateral partnership with Ericsson.
Speaking while playing host to a team of management staff of Ericsson in NOTAP recently, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi said that technology is what rules the world and any society that fails to move with the technology trend would be left behind.
She said that Ericsson has demonstrated mastery in technology innovation and deployment especially through the introduction of 5G technology into the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem. She added that the country has found a strategic and resourceful partner in Ericsson and will not hesitate to sign a bilateral partnership to strengthen technology transfer and critical skills acquisition with the company.
The Director General informed her visitors that the Office was established in early 70s to check the quality and cost effectiveness of technology that comes into the country when compared with what obtains in other countries of the world, but also has the responsibility of encouraging the development of indigenous technologies.
Dr. Amadiobi revealed that in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office, it was discovered that there was a weak Intellectual Property (IP) culture in the Nigerian knowledge institutions and for a country with the potential of becoming one of the largest economies in the world, the situation was unacceptable.
She further said that the Office in order to change the troubling narrative in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), initiated the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs).
The initiative according to her was to create awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) protection and fast-track the technology development of the Country through engagement in demand-driven and market oriented research for commercialization of research and development (R&D) results.
The NOTAP boss further stated that other critical and developmental programmes of the Office were the establishment of NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF). She noted that the programme was aimed at ensuring the development of critical mass of skilled manpower through industry sponsored PhD scholarship to undertake a study in a field that will be determined by the sponsoring company.
She said that NOTAP also initiated NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) which was aimed at upgrading Chemistry and Chemical laboratories of some selected Universities and research establishments. She added that only one company, PZ Cussons Nigerian Plc has keyed into the programme since inception. She used the opportunity also to invite other multinational companies to join in ensuring that research infrastructures are adequately built in our knowledge establishments.
Dr. Amadiobi further intimated the visiting team about her flag sheet project known as project NOVA and invited Erricsson to key into it as the Office had tried such project in ICT sector under a project called Local Vendor Policy which according her is a huge success.
In a Press Release distributed by Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu of the Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the Office, the DG noted that Ericsson had succeeded in Mozambique, Madagasca, Nigeria and South Africa. She emphasized that she would like the company to do more by collaborating with the Office in establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub where young and talented sector players will be groomed and incubated into full professionals.
In his speech, the head of the delegation and Senior Vice President and President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Patrick Johansson said that the company came into Nigeria since 1978 and has since built a strong working relationship with Nigeria in ensuring the advancement of telecommunication sector of the country.
He said that their courtesy visit to NOTAP was to further demonstrate their commitment to the friendship that had existed between Sweden and Nigeria more especially as it affects their leading telecom company Ericsson, adding that they will continue to strategize in order to strengthen the good working relationship.
Mr. Johanson stated that Nigeria was a big market for any telecommunication company and that Ericsson is ready and committed to ensuring the advancement of the sector through the introduction of 5G technology. He noted that the introduction of 5G technology will boast the Nigeria ICT ecosystem.
He said that Sweden is a very small Country but can contribute significantly to the national security using the emerging technology. He added that the introduction of 5G technology will boost the telecommunication ecosystem and open up business opportunities in Nigeria as the company according to him, visited NOTAP to add value the projects of the Office.
Accompanying the leader of the delegation, Mr. Patrick Johanson were the Vice President and Head of Ericsson West and South Africa, Majda Lahlou Kassi, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, Country Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Efosa Aigbo, Senior Solution Officer, Ericsson Nigeria.
