The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the intellectual assets and property rights of Nigerian researchers and innovators.
The Director General, NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim made this statement on Monday in Abuja while addressing participants at a capacity building workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for innovators, inventors and researchers.
NAN reports that the theme for the workshop is “Protecting and commercialising research and development (R&D) results for Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Growth.”
The DG said that the difference between developed and developing countries is technology, hence the need for more research efforts from Nigerian researchers while ensuring that they come up with commerciable R&D results and protect it.
He added that the global index for measuring nations development has shifted from resource to knowledge based, hence the need to encourage IP development and protection in Nigeria.
“A lot of research is carried out in our Nigerian knowledge institutions but needs proper coordination and the right IP framework to ensure economic development of the country,” he said.
He further stated that NOTAP has a way of encouraging patenting in Nigeria by assisting researchers and innovators in writing claims, filling for patent and payment of patenting fees
According to him, “the researcher is called to come for collection of the patent certificate.”
” Through NOTAP’s intervention on IP development and, over 400 patent certificates have been secured with more awaiting approval.
He added that NOTAP would take into account the legal, technical and economic implications of every intellectual property agreement before the registration before approval.
“We do this in order to safeguard the intellectual property rights and assets of our researchers.
“I urge researchers to always contact NOTAP for assistance in patenting their inventions and innovations,” he said.
The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI). Mrs. Monilola Udoh, said there was a need for Nigerian researchers and innovators to protect their intellectual property rights while sharing it with others.
“This workshop is well timed as there was a strong alignment between intellectual property rights (IPR) and economic growth.
“IPR is an essential and critical development tool and it should be protected from exploitation and infringement,” he said.
She encouraged NOTAP to sustain its advocacy in ensuring intellectual property rights are preserved.
Udoh also urged participants to maximize any knowledge acquired from the workshop and ensure they continue to contribute to Nigeria’s STI sector.
NAN reports that some of the topics treated at the workshop includes, the role of NOTAP in promoting R&D in Nigeria, Preparing to commercialize R
&D in Nigeria.