UNIDO, NOTAP seal deal to fast-track industrialisation in Nigeria

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) have revived their bilateral relationship to fast-track industrialisation and eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

This was revealed when the country representative and head, Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) of UNIDO in Nigeria, Mrs Abimbola Olufore, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NOTAP in Abuja on Wednesday.

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Olufore, who was in the company of the Project Assistant of UNIDO, Mrs Abigail Izam, said UNIDO had started investment promotion services to offer opportunities for investors and technology suppliers in Nigeria.

The UNIDO country representative said the agency had also fostered partnership and had given unique services to entrepreneurs and business institutions which, according to her, have metamorphosed into a global network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs).

She said the ITPO Nigeria was primarily established as a platform through which Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other private establishments could access investment and modern technologies that could fast-track sustainable growth in the country.

She added that this would be achieved through organizing all-year-round technology promotion programmes on the latest investment climate and business opportunities in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director-General of NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, represented by the Director, Consultancy Services department of NOTAP, Dr Adamu Tandama, appreciated the visitors and recalled that NOTAP had collaborated with UNIDO in promoting economic sustainability through a scientific and innovative approach.

He said the office is ready and committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship to achieve sustainable economic development in Nigerian.

The DG said NOTAP was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country and at the same time, promote the development of indigenous technology for the economic growth of the country.

Dr Ibrahim said the office had initiated various programmes to properly connect the academia with the industry for adequate utilisation of research and development (R&D) results emanating from the knowledge institutions.