Creativity, innovation shape world’s economy – Minister

By Ihechukwu Sunday

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, has described creativity and innovations as critical elements that fast-track development across the world.

He stated this on Thursday during the celebration of this year’s World Intellectual Property (WIP) Day.

A statement by the Assistant Chief Information Officer, National Office for Technology acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Mr. Raymond Ogbu, quoted the Minister as saying that the day, which was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate ingenuity, creativity and innovation was very important to the global economic sustainability, since inventions and innovations were products of critical research.

According to the statement, the Minister said: “It is pertinent to celebrate our inventors, innovators and artists, as well as creators, who have contributed significantly to our country’s socio-economic development,” he stated.

The Minister also stressed that the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was pivotal to Nigeria as an evolving economy because it fosters innovation, drives economic growth and enriches the country’s cultural development.

“What makes advanced countries tick is their breakthroughs in inventive and innovative activities. So, for developing countries like Nigeria to be recognised as a major player within the IPR ecosystem, we must build the culture of innovation.

“To ensure a rapid development of indigenous Intellectual Property System (IPS), and spur the innovative spirit of the Nigerian researchers, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), an agency under the supervision of my ministry, established the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in some knowledge establishments in the country.

“The ministry is committed to strengthening the IPS, to make it easier for innovators to protect their works, and through NOTAP, Nigerian inventors and innovators have been assisted in patenting their inventions free,” he stated.

Chief Nnaji, however, stressed that, while the IPRs incentivize innovation, overly restrictive policies could stifle creativity, and impede progress. “It is imperative to foster an environment that promotes both innovation and accessibility to information,” he added.

Also, the acting Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Idoreyin Imiyoho, equally stressed that intellectual property awareness was crucial to knowledge transfer and harnessing of Nigeria’s potential within the knowledge institutions.

In a paper presentation titled, “Intellectual Property Commercialization, Knowledge Transfer and Food Security,” at the 2024 WIP Day, organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Nigeria at the UN House, Abuja, Dr. Imiyoho described IP as the property of the human intellect.

She further stated that IP could be any innovation, commercial, artistic, symbol, logo or design used for commercial purposes. “It could also be the creation of the mind, literary and artistic works belonging to a creator, and could only be transferred or sold with the permission of the innovator.

“NOTAP was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country, as well as encourage the development of indigenous technologies.

“NOTAP as a regulatory agency is aware of the weak IP culture in the country; so, in order to build a strong intellectual property culture for sustainable economic development, it midwifed the establishment of IPTTOs in some selected knowledge institutions across the country.

“The establishment of IPTTOs has triggered healthy competitions among the knowledge institutions to the point that critical and market-driven research leading to patents has been undertaken,” she said.

She described the WIPO as a global body for intellectual property policy, services, information and cooperation, as well as a special agency of the United Nations, assisting its 193 member states in developing a balanced intellectual property legal framework to meet societal evolving needs.

She noted that in 2000, the WIPO member states designated April 26 every year to mark World Intellectual Property Day, with the aim of increasing general understanding and awareness on intellectual property and its importance to national development.

The acting DG assured the WIPO of the NOTAP’s unwavering support and commitment in ensuring that the culture of intellectual property was inculcated, not only in Nigerian knowledge institutions, but also in the artisans, who have over the years, demonstrated ability in fast-tracking science, technology and innovation development in Nigeria.