The Director General/CEO of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, has stated that Nigeria must attract and domesticate foreign technology to address the country’s socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, hunger, poverty and others.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Amadiobi emphasized that no nation can develop without adequately deploying science, technology and innovations, especially indigenous technologies.
“Undoubtedly, no nation of the earth can develop without adequate deployment of science, technology and innovation; especially indigenous technologies,” she said.
Amadiobi explained that the concept of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is crucial, as it gives exclusive control over the exploitation of intellectual works for a stipulated period. She warned that unless Nigeria develops the technical manpower to attract and domesticate foreign technology, it will be difficult to meet the challenges of unemployment, hunger, poverty, climate change, resource scarcity, environmental pressures, youth restiveness and insecurity.
“Unless Nigeria develops the technical manpower to attract and domesticate foreign technology in various facets of socio- economic activities, it may be difficult for it to meet up with the challenges of unemployment, hunger, poverty, accelerated climate change, scarcity of resource, increased pressure on the environment, youth restiveness and insecurity,” she stated.
The NOTAP boss highlighted the importance of technology in today’s knowledge-based economy and global business environment. She said the absorption of new technology has become a crucial component for companies to survive and increase their competitiveness.
“In today’s knowledge-based economy and thriving global business environment, absorption of new technology has become a veritable component for companies to survive and increase their competitiveness in the market place,” Amadiobi said.
She noted that nations are no longer valued by their population, geographical size or mineral resources, but on the organic mass of knowledge in their citizenry, which is translated into viable research and development outputs, valuable IPRs, and commercialized products.
Amadiobi commended the Nigerian government’s efforts through NOTAP and the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to promote indigenous technologies and encourage entrepreneurs, researchers and inventors to protect their intellectual property and facilitate the acquisition of foreign technology.
She also emphasized the importance of the upcoming African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property Rights, stating that it demonstrates the continent’s recognition of the crucial role of science, technology and innovation in driving sustainable development.
“The decision of African leaders to declare a day for the commemoration of the role of Technology and Intellectual Property in achieving sustainable development in African continent is a positive stride,” Amadiobi said.
The NOTAP boss stressed the need for Nigeria to prioritize the domestication of foreign technology to address its socio-economic challenges and foster sustainable development.
