The director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi has announced plans to establish technology hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to boost indigenous innovation and investment.
She made the announcement during a one-day workshop commemorating the African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), organised by NOTAP in collaboration with Dismas Integrated Services Limited. The event, themed “Promotion of Indigenous Inventions and the Crucial Role of Intellectual Property Rights,” was held in Abuja.
Amadiobi stated that NOTAP is committed to supporting local innovators and inventors by helping them protect their intellectual property and commercialise their innovations.
She stressed the importance of Nigerians patronising locally made products to strengthen the nation’s technological capacity. She explained that patenting is a vital part of the innovation process, as it establishes legal ownership and safeguards the creator’s rights.
“When you invent, it is not entirely yours until you patent it,” she said. “Patenting gives you legal recognition and prevents anyone else from claiming or registering the same idea. Once patented, your innovation is protected and can be commercialised, enabling you to benefit from your creativity.”
Amadiobi emphasised that NOTAP evaluates submitted innovations, facilitates the patenting process, and actively promotes and markets patented products. This support helps inventors access wider audiences and attract investment.
She also addressed the legal support available to inventors, explaining that NOTAP collaborates with legal experts and the Federal Ministry of Justice to resolve cases of intellectual property infringement.
“When you are patented and someone infringes on your rights, our legal team steps in. You also have the backing of the Ministry of Justice to defend your innovation,” she said.
Amadiobi acknowledged several challenges facing local inventors, including limited awareness of intellectual property rights, poor infrastructure and an over-reliance on foreign technologies. She said many innovators are unaware of how to protect their inventions, while inadequate infrastructure and heavy dependence on imported technology continue to suppress indigenous development.
To address these issues, she called for a mindset shift that embraces innovation, entrepreneurship, and the use of homegrown technologies.
“There is a need to reorient the national mindset and create a culture that values innovation. We must move away from overdependence on imported solutions and invest in our ideas,” she said.
The NOTAP boss urged the recognition of outstanding inventors and stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government. She also advocated for a reform of existing intellectual property policies and the development of a post-global content strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
In her view, industrial-academic partnerships and legal reforms will be essential to encouraging creativity, protecting ideas and ensuring that innovators can earn a living from their work.
The national president of the Association of Nigerian Inventors (ANI), Engr. Sadeeq Abubakar in a goodwill message, underscored the role of science and technology in national development. He warned that any country that neglects innovation in the 21st century risks falling behind.
“In this century, a nation that fails to uphold science, technology, and innovation will be dominated by others. Nigeria must take deliberate steps to promote indigenous technology to compete globally,” he said.
Abubakar emphasised that ANI is committed to raising the standard of local innovations and transforming Nigeria into a global technology hub.
“We have the human and natural resources. Now we must commit to using them,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, president of the Association of Researchers and Innovation Network (ARIN), Dr. Omolayo Ogunwede urged Nigerians to take pride in local products.
“Nigerians should use what we produce. We must support our innovations if we want them to thrive,” she said.
Chairperson of the governing forum of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Mrs. Rose Gyar highlighted the critical role MSMEs play in the Nigerian economy. She stated that the absence of MSMEs would have far-reaching economic consequences.
“With an estimated 39.2 million MSMEs in Nigeria, their contribution to job creation and the economy is immense. Supporting MSMEs means supporting Nigeria’s future,” she said.
Gyar pledged the forum’s support for NOTAP’s efforts and reaffirmed MSMEs’ commitment to collaborating with relevant agencies to promote homegrown innovation and create employment opportunities.
The workshop brought together researchers, inventors, policymakers, legal experts, and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies for advancing innovation in Nigeria. Participants agreed that the protection of intellectual property, increased awareness and strategic investment are critical to unlocking the nation’s technological potential.
Amadiobi concluded by restating NOTAP’s commitment to creating a national framework that values creativity and positions Nigeria as a leader in African innovation.
“We are determined to build an ecosystem where innovation thrives, inventions are protected and inventors are celebrated. With these technology hubs, we will transform ideas into impact,” she said.
