NOTAP issues 41 patents on local tech inventions

The number of genuine technology inventions by Nigerians has increased with 41 new patents issued to inventors and innovators across the country.

This will pave the way for the country’s industrial advancement, Dr Dan Azumi Ibrahim, the Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), said.

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The 41 fresh patents were issued to researchers and inventors last week, making it 408 patents now issued by the federal government, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi, noted. During the patent issuing event, the minister urged the recipients to make more efforts to move their research and development results to be available in the market, which would boost the nation’s overall socio-economic fortunes.

On his part, the NOTAP DG said it was through technology transfer that Nigeria could develop.

He warned researchers and inventors against rushing to publish their findings without first getting patents for it.

Speaking with Daily Trust on the impact of more patents, a tech enthusiast, Prof. Adenle Arotilewa, said Nigeria is surely on the path of industrial advancement as serious investors would now stake their money on genuine inventions and establish industries.

“This was what happened in most of the advanced economies,” Arotilewa added.

She said the government should encourage more scientists and technology experts to come up with fresh inventions for the development of the country.

A public affairs analyst, Fredrick Longman, noted that a country would only be known to be a giant in industrialisation when inventions and innovations are what concern its people and government.