The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has intensified efforts to promote intellectual property (IP) awareness and protection across Nigeria’s education and research institutions.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Obiageli Amadiobi, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday during an interview with journalists.
She explained that the agency is collaborating with universities, research institutions, and technical colleges to sensitise researchers and inventors to the importance of securing proper recognition and protection for their intellectual property.
“We are working to extend our reach beyond public universities and engage more private institutions.
“We are ensuring that no institution is left behind in understanding how to protect and commercialise its research.
“We’re also engaging federal and state polytechnics, along with specialized research institutes,” Amadiobi said.
She also said that NOTAP was covering the cost of patent applications, a move that has triggered more interest towards intellectual property recognition among researchers and innovators.
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She said NOTAP certified evaluators ensure that every innovation reviewed met the criteria for patenting.
“Initially we struggled to get researchers to see the value of patenting their work. Now the tide has turned completely.”
“The number of applications has risen sharply, and we are seeing innovators from every field come forward for recognition she said.
She further stated that NOTAP is strengthening the capacity of additional intellectual property evaluators to address the rising volume of IP rights applications.
“We are preparing the next set of experts to start their training in April, and it has been most impactful, for years.”
“When fully certified, they will be able to review documents, scrutinise innovations and determine what qualifies for patenting.
“Our team already includes qualified experts and we conduct yearly training programmes. The next cohort will begin soon,” she said.
“Now, demand has grown exponentially, everyone now wants their research patented, and we’re adjusting our approach to ensure sustainability,” she said.
NAN