The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has presented patent certificates to twenty-one Nigerian researcher and inventors it assisted in registering their research projects.
Presenting the patents to the beneficiaries, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji reiterated that intellectual property in the form of technological innovation has become the basis of international power structure.
“The speedy industrialisation of the country and its economic growth depends largely on the efforts of our researchers. Therefore, our innovation system managers should be conversant with intellectual property issues. I therefore wish to commend NOTAP in organising this presentation,” he said.
The Minister appreciated the Patent and Design Registry of the Ministry for the synergy and cooperation with NOTAP towards the actualisation of the patent registration for researchers/inventors in Nigeria.
He further urged other researchers to exploit NOTAP’s initiative to protect their respective intellectual assets for the development of the Nigerian economy.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Esuabana Nko-Asanye said the issuance of patent certificates is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding the intellectual contributions of the inventors, whose tireless efforts continue to drive the progress of the nation.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the overseeing Director of Technology Acquisition and adaptation, Engr Dahiru Azuftama, said the patents are testament to the fact that Nigeria has a reservoir of untapped intellectual wealth, and it is their responsibility to nurture and protect it.
“As we present patent certificates to these remarkable individuals and organizations, we recognize the countless hours of hard work, research, and dedication that have gone into their innovations. Moreover, the patents we celebrate today not only represent individual successes but contribute to the collective progress of our great nation. These innovations have the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and enhance our global competitiveness,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary pledged their continued collaboration with agencies like NOTAP to create an enabling environment for inventors to thrive with the aim of unleashing the full potential of inventors to receive the recognition and support they rightfully deserve.
The Director General of NOTAP, Dr Obiageli Amaobi, noted that Innovation does not end with securing a patent but the first step in a larger process that requires sustained support, collaboration, and commercialization.
She added that this is where NOTAP stands as a committed partner- bridging the gap between inventors, industries, and the global marketplace.
She reiterated the agency’s commitment to this goal, announcing that NOTAP has successfully facilitated the issuance of over 340 patent certificates so far.
“Our intervention in this space is driven by a clear purpose to reduce the financial burden on academicians and researchers so they can focus on the essential tasks of research and innovation. We recognize that the process of securing intellectual property rights can be costly and complex, and this often poses a significant challenge for many inventors, especially within the academic community.
By stepping in to support this process through assisting in evaluation and drafting of patent applications, payment of necessary patenting fees, NOTAP ensures that our researchers can channel their energy and resources into creating solutions that address societal challenges and contribute to national development,” she added.
The DG emphasized that NOTAP’s role is complementary to, not a substitution for the critical functions of the Patent Registry under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
In her closing remarks, the Director, Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination (TARC) department of NOTAP, Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu who educated the beneficiaries on the many benefits they could derive from their patents further advised then to renew their patents annually.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the proprietor of Horizon International University Ekiti State, Prof Ajibade Abiodun Michael said that Inventors need policy guide that will protect their rights and will grant power to the Association of Nigeria Inventors (ANI), and others as they are the catalyst for national development.
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