NOTAP Urges Researchers to Develop Market-Driven Innovations

The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has stressed the importance of researchers developing commercially viable products to drive economic growth.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, NOTAP’s Director General, Dr Obiageli Amadiobi, emphasised the need for market-driven research to facilitate product commercialisation and ensure sustainable business development.

“In a competitive, globalised world and knowledge-based society, innovation is considered a catalyst for wealth creation,” she said.

“It is important for researchers to focus on creating products that have commercial value.”

Amadiobi highlighted that the nation’s economic growth increasingly depends on knowledge rather than natural resources. She noted that NOTAP’s interventions in research institutions were yielding positive results, with an increasing number of patents emerging from research efforts.

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According to her, the agency has supported over 340 Nigerians in securing patents free of charge. However, she stressed the need to focus on the next steps after patenting, saying, “We discuss and find ways to support researchers in commercialising their research output.”

She reiterated the significance of patenting for national development, adding that commercialising innovations could attract investment and drive economic progress.

“Securing a patent is just the beginning of the journey; the real challenge lies in transforming the patent into viable products and services for the benefit of humanity.”

 “Such transformation helps to satisfy customer needs, create opportunities, address economic challenges, ensure effective resource allocation, and support strategy formulation,” she said.