The Federal Government has secured 340 patent certificates for Nigerian inventors and researchers, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s drive towards innovation.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, during the presentation of certificates to 31 recipients in Abuja on Monday.
“We have secured about 340 patents from 2010 to today,” Nnaji said, highlighting the government’s commitment to intellectual property and its role in economic development. “Technological innovation is central to global power structures, and we must harness it for our industrialisation.”
The patents, facilitated by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), represent a crucial step in protecting and commercialising Nigerian inventions.
NOTAP’s Director General, Dr. Oby Amadiobi stressed the agency’s role in alleviating the financial burden on researchers. “Our intervention ensures that innovators can focus on research while we handle the intellectual property processes,” she stated.
Professor Ajibade Biodun, one of the beneficiaries, acknowledged the government’s efforts but called for stronger policies to safeguard patent owners. “We appreciate the support, but we need robust policies to protect inventors,” he said.
