By Hillary Asemota
There is excitement in Nigeria’s innovation, research and development ecosystem as the Federal Government through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has commissioned the 68th Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) in Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Plateau State.
The landmark trajectory is applauded as strategic efforts at strengthening the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Awareness Campaign across Nigerian knowledge institutions,
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Director General/CEO of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, said the aim of establishing IPTTOs in the Nigerian knowledge institutions across the country was to create awareness on the importance of IPR to the economic sustainability of the country.
As an overarching regulatory body, she said NOTAP observed lack of intellectual property culture in the Nigerian knowledge institutions and because of the critical role IP plays in technology development and economic sustenance of our country, the Office in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in 2006, initiated the establishment of IPTTOs in the Nigerian knowledge institutions.
She said that NOTAP was primarily established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology through the Registration of Technology Transfer Agreements, but also has the responsibility to encourage the efficient development of locally motivated technologies. The DG said that while carrying out these responsibilities, the Office observed a weak intellectual property system in our knowledge institutions and for a Country that is seeking for a place as a major player in the global IP ecosystem, the situation was unacceptable, hence the need for the establishment of the IPTTOs.
Amadiobi, stated that being knowledgeable about the importance of IP was critical to the Nigerian Universities and Polytechnic communities as knowledge institutions are the beehives of research activities.
She added that in the advanced societies, knowledge institutions create IP assets that generate funds that sustain the institutions and also add to the Country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
The DG, stressed that knowledge institutions should contribute in problem solving in our societies by churning out technically skilled young manpower that can frontally change the economic narrative of our nation and put the Country on the path of economic sustainability through technology development. She, added that knowledge institutions should engage in market and demand-driven research instead of conventional research for the purposes of publications and career progression.
She decried the alarming level of inventions and innovation wasting on the shelves in our knowledge institutions, noting that with the establishment of IPTTOs, such inventions and innovations could further be translated into goods and services for the benefit of the public.
She encouraged the School as well as the host Community, Barkin Ladi to leverage on the opportunities offered by the established IPTTO to present their research results to NOTAP for patenting at no cost to the institution or individual researchers. She reiterated that although intellectual property is intangible, it should be protected to allow the owners some monopoly of financial exploitation of the inventions.
Amadiobi, further emphasized the commitment of the Office to continue to encourage the development of inventive and innovative spirits of Nigerians through strategic advocacies on the importance of critical research for the development of a stronger IPR ecosystem.
Mr. Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu, in a statement signed on behalf of the Head Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Mr. Solomon Nshem, quoted the DG as saying that the Office had assisted Nigerian researchers in securing over 340 Patent Certificate free of charge, she therefore challenged the school to ensure that the institution will feature prominently in the next IPTTO ranking by NOTAP.
In his welcome address, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Clement Selchum, said that the decision by NOTAP to establish an IPTTO in Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, of all the Schools within the region is strategic and a clear testament to the enviable and focused leadership provided by his administration.
He said that the establishment of IPTTO in the institution will encourage collaborative research and will surely drive inventions and technological advancement. He described the IPTTO as a platform that creates the vital bridge between knowledge, technology and the industry and will convert academic research into tangible outcomes.
“In today’s rapidly evolving technology, intellectual property has emerged as a cornerstone for economic competiveness and our institution is privileged to be selected to drive the process”.
The Rector further expressed appreciation for the gift of the IPTTO by NOTAP and challenged the school Community to justify the reason for attracting the centre by encouraging inventiveness.
In her paper titled “Intellectual Property Assets Management”, the Director, Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination (TARC), Mrs. Caroline Anie-Osuagwu said that IP Assets are collections of intellectual properties such as Patents, Trademarks, Copyrighted works, industrial designs,geographical indications, trade secrets, that are strategically chosen for their business values.
She said that those who are knowledgeable in creating intellectual property assets are turning global brands and seamlessly earning fortunes in hard currency.
She encouraged researchers within the community to engage in demand-driven research and also protect their inventions and inventions so as to enjoy the financial benefits accruing from their research and development undertakings.
