The director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim has emphasised that the establishment of intellectual property and technology transfer offices (IPTTOs) within Nigerian knowledge institutions holds the potential to expedite the progress of science, technology and innovation (STI) in the country.
Ibrahim shared this insight during the inauguration of an IPTTO set up by NOTAP and the introductory training on IPTTO operations at the Federal University Nguru in Gashua, Yobe State. Ibrahim highlighted that well-executed IPTTOs could catalyse the inventive and innovative capabilities of researchers at the institution.
Represented by the director of the technology acquisition and research coordination (TARC) department, Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu, Ibrahim conveyed that although Nigeria boasts the largest knowledge infrastructure across the West African sub-region, the nation currently lacks a strong culture of innovation and intellectual property. The implementation of IPTTOs in Nigerian knowledge institutions, he emphasised, would contribute to raising awareness about the significance of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and the commercialisation of domestically generated technologies.
Ibrahim noted that while significant research and development (R&D) efforts occur within these knowledge institutions, they often do not align with industrial needs or applications. Many innovative endeavours in these institutions remain at the prototype stage due to insufficient recognition of the research work within the knowledge establishments. He further pointed out that the country’s heavy reliance on imported raw materials for industries has contributed to its underdevelopment.
The DG urged university authorities to leverage IPTTOs as opportunities to engage in market-oriented and demand-driven research, advocating for a shift away from a predominantly academic research focus that caters primarily to career advancement.
In her welcome address, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Maimuna Waziri expressed gratitude to NOTAP’s director-general and management for selecting the institution as a host for the IPTTO. She highlighted NOTAP’s pivotal role as a crucial government agency, despite the subtlety of its impact due to its intangible nature of operation.
Waziri stressed the undeniable importance of IPTTOs within knowledge institutions, pointing out the mutual challenge: universities complain about inadequate financial support from the industry while industries also lament the lack of supportive collaboration from the knowledge sector.
According to a statement by NOTAP’s assistant chief information officer, Raymond Ogbu, the vice-chancellor believed that NOTAP’s intervention would foster synergy between academia and industry, expediting the commercialisation of R&D outcomes from knowledge institutions for the overall advancement of the country.
