The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Wednesday, emphasised the need for the government at all levels to strengthen policies that support research, intellectual property, and education to accelerate national development and progress.

Ezemonye stated that globally, intellectual property is recognised for boosting economic activities by attracting local and foreign investments, supporting startups, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.

The vice chancellor made the appeal during a roundtable discussion on intellectual property, organised by Igbinedion University Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), with the theme, ” The Role of Intellectual Property in Supporting Nigeria’s Development Goals”.

Ezemonye emphasised that innovation and creativity are essential drivers of national development, which help in shaping economies, industries, and societies.

According to him, intellectual property is highly relevant to national development.

He noted that intellectual property exists to recognise and protect creators and innovators by granting them rights over their inventions and to foster progress in technology, literature, and business.

Ezemonye noted that the role of intellectual property in fostering national development led to the roundtable discussion on Intellectual property organised by the university.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria, with its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and creative industries, has immense potential to harness innovation for sustainable development.

“Strengthening policies that support research, intellectual property, and education can further accelerate progress,” Ezemonye said.

The don continued, “This event is one of the several avenues by which the university engages the public under the auspices of the Town and Gown interface to contribute its quota to national development through robust intellectual debates.

” At the heart of intellectual property is the incentivization of inventors, artists and entrepreneurs to create new products, technologies and artistic works, knowing their rights will be protected,” he said.

He added that intellectual property supports technological advancement through patents and trademarks, which encourage research and development, ultimately leading to breakthroughs in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and fintech.