E-Business
Onu Hails NOTAP for Building IPR Culture in Nigerian Knowledge Institutions
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), for creating Intellectual Property Right (IPR) awareness across Nigerian Knowledge Institutions.
Dr. Onu made this commendation while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the new Office complex of the agency. He added that this IPR awareness has resulted in an increase in the number of Patents Certificates secured for Nigerian inventors and innovators by NOTAP free of charge.
He said NOTAP as an agency of government saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the development of indigenous inventions and innovations, it is only natural that the Officers deserve a conducive Office space and working environment for a better and result oriented intellectual work.
The Minister further stated that through the registration of technology transfer agreements between Nigerian entrepreneur and their foreign counterparts, NOTAP has saved the country over a whooping N240 billion that would have gone out of the country as capital flight.
He reiterated that during registration of technology transfer agreements, NOTAP observed that some of the agreements submitted were crafted with little or no regards to the development of indigenous skilled manpower therefore, NOTAP declines to register such agreements leading to the savings.
The Minister further stated that NOTAP had suffered inadequate Office space but he was delighted that under his administration, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the building of a befitting Office complex, hence the foundation laying ceremony.
He express delight on the efforts of NOTAP in creating awareness on patenting of innovations and invention through establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) across some knowledge Institutions in the country.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu who is also the Chairman of NOTAP board thanked the Honourable Minister for facilitating the approval of NOTAP Office building by the FEC, adding that with the enormous responsibility shouldered by NOTAP in developing indigenous skilled manpower, it was only fair and natural for it to have a good working environment.
He stated that NOTAP was one of the agencies under Science and Technology Ministry that if well funded, will lip-frog the techno-economic advancement of the country and project the country into the global limelight.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Minister for ensuring that the proposal for new Office complex for NOTAP was approved. He said inadequate Office space had been a big challenge to the Office and with the laying of the building foundation, execution of duties would be more expeditious as officers will put in their best for a better output.
He decried a situation whereby very senior Officers share offices owing to lack of accommodation, adding that “for you to engage in any meaningful intellectual work, a conducive working environment was required”.
The DG further requested for more support from the Minister in area of improved budgetary allocation to ensure that the building is completed in a record time.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
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