The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) says it is scaling up efforts to promote intellectual property (IP) awareness and protection through Nigeria’s education and research institutions.
NOTAP Director-General/CEO, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during an interview with reporters.
To that end, she said the agency is partnering with universities, technical colleges, polytechnics, and specialized research institutes to sensitize researchers and inventors on applying for official IP recognition.
“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 commercialize its research.
“We’re also engaging federal and state polytechnics, along with specialized research institutes,” Amadiobi said.
She added that NOTAP covers the cost of patent applications, a move that has sparked greater interest in IP recognition among researchers and innovators.
She explained that NOTAP’s certified evaluators ensure every reviewed innovation meets patenting criteria.
“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.
Amadiobi noted that NOTAP is building the capacity of more IP evaluators to meet growing demand.
“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, scrutinize 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 wants their research patented — and we’re adjusting our approach to ensure sustainability,” she added.
