Bauchi — Over 90 perccent of the technology being used presently in Nigeria is said to be imported, an action that hinders the development of indigenous technology in the country.
Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Dan'azumi Mohammed Ibrahim, stated this during the commissioning of the Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. NOTAP is one of the 16 parastatals established over five years ago under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
Dr Ibrahim, however, said that efforts are being made to reduce foreign technology consumption by addressing the infrastructural challenges facing the country and exploring areas of facilitating technological development.
He explained that the establishment of the office is part of the drive to improve the development and utilisation of indigenous technology through tertiary institutions and research centres.
He added that establishing the centres in such institutions would help NOTAP and the institutions to explore areas of mutual co-operation to develop indigenous technology for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.
The DG said that the agency is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the inflow of foreign technology into the country, while helping Nigerian intellectuals to utilise their talents and patent inventions for the benefit of the inventors and the country.
Responding, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Dr. Shu'aibu Musa commended NOTAP for the assistance given to the institution to actualise the establishment of the office, which he said, would facilitate proper coordination of its technological innovations.
He said the institution is engaged in many researches and had developed prototypes of many of its inventions which may be patented in the near future.
In his vote of thanks, the Coordinator of the Bauchi IPTTO, Dr. Cyprian Ohanwe assured the centre would develop indigenous technology and build on what it has been doing.
He disclosed the centre would soon apply for patent of some of its numerous products of its research.
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