90 per cent of technologies in Nigeria imported, says NOTAP

Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, has said 90 per cent of technologies powering the Nigerian economy are imported.

Ibrahim disclosed this, yesterday, at the disbursement of NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) letters and presentation of patent certificates to inventors in Abuja.

About 41 beneficiaries were given certificates for their innovation, including the Nigerian Air Force, which received a patent for developing a locally made JC-6 rocket currently used by the military in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

Five beneficiaries also received sponsorships awarded by PZ Cussons Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries and Julius Berger Nigeria.

While calling for more investment in research and development, the NOTAP boss urged improved partnership between the private sector and research communities to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil.

He regretted that the major problem faced by scientists in Nigeria was the inability to protect their intellectual property.

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, said NOTAP had in the last 10 years assisted 267 researchers and inventors to obtain patents for their intellectual property.

He said the NITTF scheme was part of efforts to close the huge gap in the process of acquiring and adapting imported technologies into Nigeria.