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  • NOTAP urges developers, others to prioritise made-in-Nigeria software

    NOTAP urges developers, others to prioritise made-in-Nigeria software

    The Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, has called on software developers, FinTech firms, and banks to utilise and promote locally made software.

    Speaking at the Texcellence Conference in Lagos, organised by an Indigenous IT firm, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), Amadiobi emphasised the importance of investing in homegrown technology solutions to make Nigeria economically self-reliant and globally competitive in the tech ecosystem.

    As a panelist during the session on “Government Parastatals Conversation, Collaborative Innovation: Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow Economy,” Amadiobi highlighted the need for better awareness of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

    She noted that many researchers and innovators do not fully grasp the concept of patenting, which prompted NOTAP to establish 67 Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and research institutes.

    These offices, she said, are aimed at raising awareness of intellectual property rights.

    According to a statement by NOTAP’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Solomon Nshem, Amadiobi stressed the importance of collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to enhance the capacity of IPTTO managers.

    This will ensure that researchers understand IPR and its potential benefits, she said

    She however criticised the practice of researchers publishing works solely for promotion purposes and emphasised the implementation of the triple helix model.

    Amadiobi urged software developers and FinTech firms to protect their innovations through patenting or copyright to fully benefit from their creations.

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    She underscored the need for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to strengthen Nigeria’s technology development ecosystem and boost the economy.

    In his remarks, the Group CEO of Computer Warehouse Group and convener of the conference, Adewale Adeyipo, acknowledged the role of technology in economic growth and national development, noting that digital transformation is shaping the future of African nations.

     Adeyipo stressed the importance of government-private sector partnerships to drive technological progress in Africa.

    International speaker Fredrik Haren, known as the creativity explorer, commended Nigeria for its creativity and confidence, encouraging the country to harness these strengths for economic growth.

    Haren emphasised the importance of creative thinking and highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a critical tool for boosting productivity.

    The 2024 Texcellence Conference, the third in its series, showcased the latest innovations driving Africa’s digital economy and attracted stakeholders from across the continent.

  • NOTAP urges varsities on intellectual property policy

    The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has advised universities to develop a comprehensive intellectual property policy. This, it said, will take care of problems associated with ownership of intellectual property among institutions and researchers in Nigerian universities.

    Its Director-General, DanAzumi Ibrahim, who gave the advice during the commissioning of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, said it is part of efforts geared towards strengthening the operations of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO).

    Represented by the Director, Consultancy Services Department, Adamu Tandama, the DG stated that a well scripted and comprehensive IPTTO policy was necessary to guide the universities in clearly spelling out the ownership of IP.

    Ibrahim said: “NOTAP, in carrying out the Registration of Technology Transfer Agreements, which is one of its major mandates, realised that there was a very weak Intellectual Property culture in Nigeria especially within knowledge institutions.”

    According to him, this situation has resulted in poor technology development of the country, adding that the establishment of IPTTOs in knowledge institutions has the capacity have to trigger innovative activities in the country.

    The DG said over 90 per cent of technologies that power the economy are alien, stressing that for a nation that is striving to be amongst the 20 strongest economies in the world, the knowledge institutions should be more innovative to turn out Research and Development (R&D) results that can solve industrial needs.

    He said for a country to develop technologically, the knowledge institutions must be abreast of the global technology needs, stressing that there should be a strong and strategic linkage between the industry and the academia for this to happen.

    Ibrahim said technologies are outputs of inventive and innovative activities and research is the  primary function of the knowledge institutions, adding that while the multinationals operating in the country depend on their mother companies for research works, Nigerian knowledge institutions carry out research for career progression and not to solve industry problems.

    He maintained that IPTTO is exposing the researchers to engage in research that will solve human needs and not just for academic and career progression, saying that in developed countries, there is strong linkage between the academia and industry as industry depends largely on the knowledge institutions to solve their problems.

    Ibrahim said Nigeria has the largest knowledge infrastructure in the West African sub-region with over 156 universities, 126 polytechnics, 98 colleges of education and more than 300 research institutions but is yet to give the world any global products from their researches.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, expressed appreciation to God for making it possible that the IPTTO is established in the university.

    He said the commissioning would bring positive changes to the institution and urged the IPTTO coordinator to ensure an all-inclusive programme that will galvanise the numerous researches being undertaken by the university in a highly coordinated manner.

    Prof Ogbu however stated that researchers as well as the university community will start enjoying the benefits of research as the IPTTO will refocus the mind of researchers towards a problem solving research.

  • NOTAP saves N200b in 10 years

    The local vendor policy initiated by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has promoted the development of indigenous software, its Director-General, DanAzumi  Ibrahim has said.

    Speaking while receiving a seven-man delegation from the Defence Space Administration (DSA) who paid a visit to NOTAP Management in Abuja, he said NOTAP has, over the last 10 years, saved over N200 billion which would have been part of capital flight.

    Ibrahim said the local vendor policy was borne out of the concern that over 90 per cent of software being utilised by Nigerians, especially in the banking and other financial sectors were imported.

    He said through its mandate of registering technology transfer agreements, NOTAP made it mandatory for Local Vendors to be involved in all Annual Technical Support (ATS) services for Software Agreements or updates and the Local Vendor’s fee paid in naira by the licensor.

     

     

     

     

  • ‘NOTAP working on patent’

    • GenesysIGNITE: startups share $30,000

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said the Federal Government, through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), is addressing issues related to patent and intellectual property right. He said this would safeguard the investment and ideas of young people in the country.

    Onu,who spoke at the GenesysIGNITE start-ups convergence in Enugu organised by Genesys Tech Hub in collaboration with CFAtech.ng, said it was high time various research and development results were pulled off the shelves of the universities and turned to commercial products. “Any nation that produces science and technology experts is always the toast of the world. Genesys is doing what the government has in mind with regard to youth development – capacity building, incubation, providing venture capitals. I can tell you that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology will support this platform to ensure that young people are given a space to express themselves and add value to the economy,” he said.

    He gave the cash prizes of $10,000 each to Tutor Finder, PlayJoor and House of Uwe.

    Also speaking at the event with over 2000 start-ups drawn from Enugu, Abia, Uyo, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi and other neighbouring states in attendance,  former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, said the future belongs to the digital economy and will become visible if the country strategises properly.

    Nnamani, who chaired the event, stressed the need for educational institutions, especially the universities to ‘feed’ the technology industry with skilled manpower and graduates fit for purpose. He lauded Genesys for the foresight in organising the event which he said, could igniting mind shift among the youths “from election ballot box snatching to technological evolution in the region”.

    “What Genesys is trying to ignite in the Southeast and Enugu State in particular is awesome, by opening the eyes of our young people to tech disruptions and opportunities. It is important, because our people are ingenious and if we can apply the ingenuity in the tech ecosystem we can compete with the Silicon Valley. It is high time we shifted our ingenuity from snatching ballot boxes during elections and channel the strengths towards technology.”

    Founder/CEO of Genesys Tech Hub, Kingsley Eze, said the main objective of the initiative was to discuss latest technology trends that impact the regions, and to proffer strategies for unearthing benefits in the various sectors of the economy. Through the event, he said, they are also promoting innovative business solutions and ideas, propagated in the form of start-ups, within the region, culminating in capacity building and other exigencies to help them thrive.

    Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., founder, CFAtech.ng, who moderated the panel session, told the participants that this type of event had helped fuel tech revolution in other parts of the country. He said they owe themselves a duty to take advantage of the opportunities that will follow GenesysIGNITE 2017.

    On his part, Prof Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), tied digital innovation and development to digital literacy, stating that government needs to move towards the “pull” strategy with emphasis in the development of appropriate legal framework, applications and local content.

    “Digital Access Programme (DAP) is being implemented by the regulator to equip secondary schools across the country with internet connectivity. More than 223 schools have benefited. Internet clouds are being provided within Nigeria’s university and polytechnics to foster improvement in digital literacy and application,” the EVC said through Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs at the Commission.

    GenesysIGNITE 2017 has laid a solid foundation for technology development in the south east and south south regions of the country.

     

  • First scientists fair in Southeast coming

    There are plans to bring together for the first time inventors and innovators to showcase their products in the Southeast. A non-governmental organisation based in Enugu, the South Saharan Social Development Organisation is behind that plan.

    The NGO said that over 25 original inventions and innovations from people either from the Southeast or resident there, shortlisted from over 100 applications and entries would showcase their indigenous technological inventions.

    The Programme Manager of the Organisation, Mr Onyinye Nwachukwu said in a statement in Enugu that the fair would promote scientific and technological innovations and inventions in the region.

    According to Nwachukwu, the event is part of the organisation’s response to recession and to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship especially among youths.

    “The programme also aims to halt the disregard for innovation in the country which has been the trend since independence despite the abundance of scientists and technologists.

    “Thus, it will encourage innovation and further boost entrepreneurship in Nigeria in general,’’ he said.

    Nwachukwu said that the programme, which is tagged: “Showcasing the Can-Do Igbo Spirit: Innovations and Inventions from the Southeast’’, is under the organisation’s Ola Ndi Igbo (Jewels of the East) programme.

    He noted that the programme would attract over 1,000 visitors from within and outside of Nigeria including people from the private sector, investors, government officials, the diplomatic community and the general public.

    “This event is having the support of Life Lager Beer, the Ford Foundation, MTN, Ellington Company, Fidelity Bank, Radio Nigeria, NOTAP and many others.

    “It will take place on Dec. 18 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. at the Oakland Centre, Enugu and is open to the public free of charge,’’ he said.

    In addition to N1 million grand prize and other consolation prizes, the shortlisted inventors would receive training on patenting, financial management, how to run a business, marketing and branding of the technological innovative product.

     

  • NOTAP: Banks to run on local apps

    The National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has said banks will soon adopt local software to boost the sector and stop capital flight caused by reliance on offshore applications by banks.

    Its Director-General, Dr. Dan Azumi Mohammed Ibrahim, gave the assurance in Lagos during a meeting with Information Communication Technology (ICT) editors.

    He said the agency secured over 30 patents for agencies and private researchers with scientific intellectual properties this year.

    Nigeria loses  billions of naira to capital flight yearly as a result of the reliance of local lenders, private enterprises and government agencies on foreign applications.

    He expressed optimism that with the situation on ground, dependence on offshore application would be a thing of the past in the next five years

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    Ibrahim said protecting scientific intellectual properties was crucial in encouraging Nigerians to engage in demand-driven research, which would translate into viable products and services for economic growth.

    He said: “Before NOTAP’s intervention in carrying out preliminary search and evaluation of the patentability of scientific inventions in Nigeria, the process of obtaining patent was rigorous.

    “But in close partnership with the Chief Register, Trademark, Patents and Design Registry, Williams Kaftin, the situation is changing as NOTAP has secured about 38 patents for agencies and private researchers in the first half of the year.”

    He added that the agency also conducts patent search regularly in order to avoid duplication of intellectual properties.

    Ibrahim said the agency further introduced NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) to train skilled manpower on industry relevant research projects. He added that NITTF, sustained by voluntary contributions from the industrial sector, would bridge the gap between industry needs and academia in the country.

    “NOTAP observed a gap between the requirement of the industry and the research results from our knowledge institutions. This gap is that our industries rely on the research results of foreign research while the research results from our institutions do not meet the needs of industries.”

    “To solve the problem and create a robust linkage between the academia and industry, NOTAP established NITTF aimed at training high level manpower on industry relevant research projects as a way of linking industry to academia,” he said.

     

  • PZ Cussons, NOTAP sign MoU on Chemical Science, Technology

    PZ Cussons, NOTAP sign MoU on Chemical Science, Technology

    In furtherance of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) to support research in chemical science and Technology.

    Under the terms of the MoU, PZ Cussons has agreed to fund the upgrade of the chemical laboratories in two Nigerian Universities and one Research Institute while NOTAP will co-ordinate the project.. The benefitting institutions are: University of Calabar, Modibo Adama University of Technology, Yola and the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria.

    PZ Cussons’ intervention is borne out of its concern to fill the infrastructural gap in those institutions. The intervention is to assist the institutions acquire and install state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate the conduct of robust research activities that will produce high calibre R&D personnel.

  • ‘Why Nigeria may miss Vision 20:2020, MDGs’targets’

    IF the nation fails to address the problems of weak industrialisation strategy and weak standard enforcement, the Vision 20:2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will remain a mirage, the Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr Umar Bindir, has warned.

    Other obstacles identified by the helmsman are weak technological transfer strategy and dearth of risk capital.

    He further warned that if these challenges are not addressed, joining the league of 20 leading economies in the world by 2020 and reducing poverty level in the country would remain a mirage.

    Bindir, who spoke to The Nation at a workshop for reporters on science and technology in Lagos, lamented that most research results from universities and research institutes “end in the valley of death’” without getting to the market or being developed into prototypes or finished products.

    He said instead of setting long term targets, such as Vision 20:2020, Nigeria should set a yearly target.

    He said: “We are not confident about Vison 20:2020. We are cynically waiting for it to come. We have to be innovative.”

    According to him, a whopping N6 trillion was spent on MDGs’ office, saying: ”We are yet to score a goal despite these huge expenditure on pursuing the MDGs.”

    He said Nigeria’s desire to advance technologically would remain a dream because “our science is not focusing on appropriate technology’.

    He lamented that, despite that the country has the largest number of universities and mono/polytechnics in Africa, it has nothing to show for it.

    He said: “There is a poor linkage between research products and marketing and most of our research materials have ended in the valley of death.”

    He advocated for the creation of strong linkages between scientists and policy makers, urging scientists to speak the language understood by the political class on how science, innovation and technology was linked to societal needs, such as job creation and human capital development.

    On which way to go for Nigeria, he said, “Nigeria can acquire technology by transferring it from the various places they have been perfected. Stealing technology is an arrogant demonstration that you have the capcity and capability to replicate what other persons have done. Nigeria has a fantastic platform. We have already acquired a lot of technologies. The challenge now is to move the acquired technology to the next level, to the market where they are needed.”

  • ‘Health sector key to development’

    The health sector has been described as the most critical socio-economic sector for development.

    According to the Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Mr Umar Bindir, the country needs to scientifically look at its bio-resources to ensure development.

    Bindir spoke at a workshop organised by NOTAP for journalists on science technology reporting. The theme was Promoting technology acquisition for sustainable development in Nigeria: the role of the media.

    He said the country needs to look at the mineral resources that are useful for the manufacturing of drugs.

    “Also, we need to look at the traditional medicine we have perfected and formalise them,” he added.

    He said there should be strategic plans with key intentions to formalise these discoveries into standard products that we don’t only use in the country but also showcase to other countries.

    He said the Federal Government should look at a research institution such as Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and the bio-technology sector and some universities and polytechnics and filter all the outputs that are sitting out at the table and see how to take the outputs to the next level.

    This, he said, can effect a change if it can be done immediately, saying the sector is a very vibrant and promising one.