The actualization of developmental goals requires a pragmatic and meticulous approach of policy making either by government or private establishments such as the national policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). In order to fast-track the development of STI in Nigeria, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), saddled with the responsibility of regulating the inflow of foreign technology into the Country as well as promotion of locally motivated technologies has evolved a number of strategies and programmes such as the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs). These are innovative learning and interaction centers established by NOTAP in Nigeria knowledge institutions to create awareness on the importance of building a robust Intellectual Property Culture within the Nigerian knowledge establishments.

Prior to NOTAP’s intervention via the establishment of IPTTOs in the Nigerian knowledge institutions, research undertakings were mainly for the purposes of paper publication for carrier progression but the situation has changed as the awareness on the importance of market-driven research has been created. So far, from 2006 when the initiative of establishing IPTTOs started till date, NOTAP has established Sixty Seven (67) IPTTOs across our knowledge institutions.

Commissioning of one of the IPTTOs established by NOTAP

Research results emanating from knowledge establishments end up on the shelves because there was no knowledge on translating the R&D results into goods and services. Research results in Nigeria were hitherto venerable as there was no form of protection but with the intervention and assistance of NOTAP, Nigerian researchers now patent their inventions for onward commercialization or licensing.  These are ways the developed countries like Japan, Germany, and China took in ensuring STI development in their Countries, making them the global suppliers of technologies.

NOTAP has assisted Nigerian inventors and innovators in patenting over four hundred (400) research results across various Nigerian knowledge establishments, including none formal sector participants/inventors and innovators. This was done through patent claim drafting in some cases, preliminary evaluation of their claims, submission of patent applications and payment for patents at the Patent and Design Registry.

Distribution of Patent Certificates by the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation

Nigerian knowledge institutions are unarguably the home for research and no industry develops without research, hence for an effective development of STI, NOTAP is poised  to link academia with the industry through yet another programme tagged “NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship” (NITTF).This programme was initiated by NOTAP in collaboration with the industry to sponsor talented young Nigerians who have obtained Masters Degree and are desirous of undertaking PhD programmes in any Nigeria University. It is targeted at developing the critical skilled manpower to upscale the STI development in Nigeria.

The Office also in 2014, initiated a wonderful teaching aids known as Technology Story Board (TSB). The initiative is a step by step pictorial representation of product production processes from the raw materials to the finished products. The aim of this initiative was to teach the Nigerian Children the science of producing most of the products that are consumed or utilized in our homes and arouse their interest in taking up science related subjects early in life.

This project has been launched in all the geopolitical zone of the Country to benefit all secondary school pupils across the Country. The National launch took place in FCT, Abuja in 2015, then Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State for South-South zone, Lagos for South-West, Kano for North-West, Anambra for South-East, Katsina for North-East, Minna and  North-Central.

In realization of the fact that technology has been universally acknowledged not only as a vital tool for creation of wealth but also as a determining factor for global competitiveness, the STB initiative was a strategic means of popularizing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) among younger Nigerians at the basic school level.

In the words of Dr. Umar Buba Bindir, a onetime Director General of NOTAP and the pioneer of the Technology Story Board during the national launching, “TSB is a carefully and consciously drafted programme by NOTAP in collaboration with some multinational companies to demystify technology through pictorial illustration of product manufacturing processes for easier understanding and appreciation by the Nigerian Children”.

The project is targeted at young Nigerians at secondary and primary school levels whose interest may be aroused by the product production pictures displayed on their school walls to appreciate science subjects. He noted that there is low patronage of science subjects by Nigerian students, adding that for any nation to be economically independent, its youths must holistically embrace Science and Technology.

The importance of the programme to the technological growth of the Country, adding that the philosophy behind the project is that when Children go through the technology story board for a number of years, there is a likelihood of them developing interest in sciences.  He added that the level of development of any nation is usually measured in terms of the level and scope of industrial production, commerce, health care, social services which are according to him, enhanced by the application of technology in the promotion and exploitation of services.

As knowledge based organization, NOTAP realized that over 90% of technologies that power Nigerian economies were foreign and for a country that is desirous of becoming a major player in global technology market, the situation was unacceptable, hence a programme called Universities Laboratory Upgrade as well as the establishment of Modern Science Laboratory for Secondary Schools were initiated. These initiatives were to ensure that Laboratories in selected Nigerian Universities and Secondary Schools were upgraded to international standard where comprehensive high impact research and laboratory analyses are conducted.

The ripple effect of these initiatives is that not only that critical laboratory analyses with globally acceptable results are achieved, science students in Nigerian secondary schools are also offered the opportunity of skill acquisition while in schools. Teaching and learning of Science subjects in Nigerian Schools have improved as a result of the upgrading of school laboratories as research has shown that the reason for abysmal performances in science subjects in Nigerian schools is largely due to poor laboratory equipments.

Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu