Nigeria Needs Locally Generated Technology to power It’s Economy
By Ene Ikpa
The National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion has reiterated the need for Nigerians to embark on locally generated technology to power the economy.
The Director General of NOTAP Dr Dan Azumi Mohammed Ibrahim made this known during an interactive session with members of the science and technology correspondence in commemoration of his second tenure as the Director General of NOTAP.
Speaking on his achievements from 2015-2018 ,Dan Azumi disclosed that the registration of technology transfer agreement, received by NOTAP is a total of 1.190, and they registered 1.050 representing 88.24% with a total number of companies monitored at the period was 283 and a total sum 79.69 billion naira was saved for the country which would have gone out as capital flight.
Increasing the generated revenue by over 50% from N322,138,500 in 2015 to N489,212010.00 in 2018 as participants in the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The NOTAP Boss further stated as part of his achievements,the automation of technology transfer agreement registration process which reduced the time to register agreements with NOTAP , and give client’s opportunity to track their applications and quickly respond to any query that may be raised by NOTAP after evaluating the agreement.
In encouraging private sector,and bringing about the needed Academia – industry Linkage to facilitate mutual relationship for the overall socio- economic developing of the nation.
NOTAP instituted two projects namely; NOTAP – industry technology transfer fellowship and upgrade of chemical laboratories.
While the later corporate social responsibility is to provide scholarship to talented Nigerians pursuing PhD studies in Nigeria universities the latter is encouraged to assist in providing the necessary research facilities for the enhancement of quality research for technology development to produce products and services.
DanAzumi further disclosed the free patent assistance to Nigerian researchers, which recorded a huge success in his tenure by getting patent certificates from 6- in 2015 to 58 in 2018.
As part of technology development NOTAP also instituted the local vendor policy, in partnership with National Information Development Agency NITDA to build the needed human capacity for soft ware development in the country and drastically reduce dependence on imported software’s. A Nigerian outfit must be involved in the deployment of software and maintenance with a success story of indigenous companies The Computer Warehouse Group and Financial Application A Limited are currently exporting to some African countries.
He disclosed further,as part of effort to commercialise the numerous research development of Nigerian researchers into products and services, NOTAP through the Bank of industry has BOI provided the necessary financial support for their commercialization which includes vaccine against snake bite and the development of typhoid vaccine,peptic ulcer and instant paint mixer which has started accessing funds from the Bank of industry
With the above achievement recorded in the past four years in NOTAP Dr DanAzumi intends to consolidate on those achievements and taking to a logical conclusion various projects at various levels of completion .
Moving forward he has a plan for NOTAP he intends to focus on which includes, completion of the automation of technology transfer agreement registration,Increase in revenue generation for the country, construction of NOTAP Headquarters complex, Commercialization of the remaining five flagship projects presented to BOI for funding etc.
Finally he encouraged Nigerians to patronise Nigerian cottage industries, and patronise Nigerian goods so as to improve the economy.
