Nigeria secured 340 patent certificates for inventors in 14 years – Minister
The Federal Government, through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, has successfully secured a total of 340 patent certificates for inventors and researchers in Nigeria since 2010.
This was announced by the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, during the official presentation of patent certificates to researchers and inventors on Monday in Abuja.
According to Investopedia, “a patent is the granting of a property right by an approving authority to an inventor. This grant provides the inventor exclusive rights to the patented process, design, or invention for a designated period in exchange for a comprehensive disclosure of the invention.”
In his keynote address, Nnaji emphasised the importance of intellectual property and innovation in driving the nation’s industrialisation and economic growth.
He stated, “I am reliably informed that from 2010 to date, NOTAP has secured about 340 patent certificates for inventors and researchers of tertiary and research institutes and individuals. This number includes the 18 certificates to be presented today.”
The minister underscored the vital role that researchers play in the nation’s development, noting that technological innovation has become central to global power structures.
He also highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property in transforming research into products and services that could contribute to the country’s economic prosperity.
“The nation can only derive maximum benefit from your efforts if your patents translate into products/services for economic growth,” Nnaji remarked.
NOTAP’s Director General, Dr. Oby Amadiobi, also praised the agency’s efforts and highlighted that the process of securing intellectual property rights can often be burdensome for researchers.
She also noted, “31 patents certificates were issued on Monday.”
“I am proud to share that we have successfully facilitated the issuance of over 340 patent certificates. A clear purpose drives our intervention in this space to reduce the financial burden on academicians and researchers so they can focus on the essential tasks of research and innovation,” she said.
Amadiobi also pointed out that NOTAP’s role is to complement the efforts of the Patent and Design Registry under the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment by facilitating the patenting process.
She emphasised that this partnership is aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s inventors are equipped to protect and commercialize their innovations effectively.
During the event, one of the beneficiaries, Professor Ajibade Biodun, thanked the government for facilitating the patenting process but called for stronger policies to protect patent owners and inventors.
“We appreciate the government’s intervention, but we also need a policy to protect patent owners and inventors,” Biodun stated.
