The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh has commended the management of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for donating ICT equipment and furniture for the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The Minister made this remark while performing the handover of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and furniture for the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office to Nile University, Abuja and for upgrading of already established IPTTO at the Igbinedion University, Okada Edo State yesterday.

Dr. Udeh who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology stated that the establishment  and strengthening of IPTTO in the Nigerian tertiary and research institutions is a critical component of government’s efforts to build a vibrant national innovation ecosystem. He noted the Offices serve as institutional mechanisms for identifying, protecting and commercializing viable research outputs.

He noted that NOTAP has continued to play a pivotal role in advancing technology development in the country through its various interventionist projects and programme to which, the establishment of IPTTO in various knowledge institutions across the country is one of the projects.

The Minister further stated that in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, NOTAP is committed to increasing local content in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem through the institutionalization of the Local Vendor Policy (LVP).

He reiterated that through this intervention programmes, NOTAP had established 68 IPTTOs in the tertiary institutions across the geopolitical zones of country, adding that the donation of equipment for establishment of another one in Nile University, will bring it to total of 69 IPTTOs established by NOTAP.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) called on the University authorities to ensure judicious use of the equipment donated to their institutions for technology development and overall industrialization of the country.

While delivering her welcome address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi said that NOTAP was primarily established to regulate the inflow of foreign technologies into the country through the registration of technology transfer agreements but also have the responsibility of encouraging the efficient development and domestication of locally motivated technologies.

The DG stated that in carrying out the responsibilities of the Office, it was realized that there was a huge gap between the academia and industry and to bridge the gap and forge a path for technology growth, the Office in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2006, initiated the establishment of IPTTOs in the Nigerian knowledge institutions.

The NOTAP Boss noted that technology and innovation had taken the central stage in measuring the economic viability of a nation, hence the Office embarked on aggressive Intellectual Property advocacy to ensure that Nigerian researchers are not just seen as major players in the global science, technology and innovation ecosystem, but have a demonstrable propensity to lead African industrialization.

She emphasized that the ICT equipment and furniture handed over to Igbinedion University to upgrade the already established IPTTO and Nile University for establishment of new IPTTO were gesture from NOTAP in continuation of IP awareness in Nigerian knowledge institutions. Amadiobi added that the gesture is a way of strengthening institutional capacity for efficient work delivery

The DG urged the University community to be strategic in strengthening IP in their respective institutions as inventions and innovations that may emanate from the centers are capable of uplifting the financial status of the university.

The representatives of the benefiting Universities eulogized NOTAP for being at the forefront of IP development in Nigeria, especially through its intervention in the Universities and research institutions. They promised to make adequate use of the equipment donated to the institutions.