The Effectiveness of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in Promotion of Intellectual Property in Nigerian Research and

Abstract

The research study examined majorly, the effectiveness of NOTAP IP promotional roles in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Other issues explored include the relationship of the IP Offices in Nigeria and the status of research industry linkage in Nigeria. Relevant literatures were reviewed to provide guidance on the study which focused on the concept of IP and its importance as well as the theoretical Framework. The theories considered are the Utilitarian Theory, Labour Theory and the WIPO Development Agenda. The WIPO Development Agenda was adopted in view of its focus on IP promotion in developing countries which is relevant to this study. Other aspects of the literature focused on the concept of Intellectual Property Office (IPO), IP and National Wealth Development or Technological Development, the rationale for Research and Tertiary Institutions as Engine Room for National Development and an overview of IP Promotion and Technology Transfer Activities in the Research and Tertiary Institutions in other Countries. The methodology adopted for the study was quantitative approach based on the use of questionnaire and interview. On the whole, the questionnaires were administered to a total of 150 respondents selected from a purposive target group. Out of this, 140 were retrieved constituting a response rate of 93.3%. On the other hand, interview questions structured in open ended format were administered to five IP experts. These comprise of two IP practitioners and three management staff of the three IP offices. The purpose of the study was to establish whether NOTAP’s IP promotional role in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions is effective and to find out whether there is relationship and complimentary efforts between NOTAP and other IP Offices in the country and to also determine identify any challenges impeding the effectiveness and recommend ways of resolving them. The research findings revealed as follows: 1. NOTAP’s IP promotional activities in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions are not visible. 2.There is an impact of NOTAP’s IP promotional activities in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions.3. NOTAP’ s IP promotional activities in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions are not effective. 4There is no significant relationship or complementary efforts between NOTAP and other IP Offices in respect of IP promotion in Nigerian research and tertiary institutions. 5.There exist challenges of research-industry linkage in Nigeria. In the light of the findings from the study it was recommended amongst others that NOTAP should establish IPTTOs in the research and tertiary institutions where they are not yet established to improve the culture of IP in the country. Also, the programmes and activities of the IPTTOs established in the research and tertiary institutions should be well coordinated and monitored. In addition, deliberate effort needs to be made through institutional and/or national policy(s) to facilitate research-industry linkage in Nigeria so as to promote national economic development.