The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) will collaborate with the Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS) to increase local content and promote economic sustainability in Nigeria.

NOTAP CEO Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, while addressing a delegation from academia led by its president, Professor Ekanem Brande, in Abuja recently, said that such strategic partnerships would boost socio-economic development.

Ibrahim said the visit was in line with corresponding orders given by President Muhammadu Buhari on the implementation of Executive Order 5, which he signed into law in February 2018.

“The order was to ensure that all contracting authorities give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2007.

“The order prevents the Home Office from issuing expatriate visas to foreigners who intend to come to do work that Nigerians have the skills and abilities to do,” he said.

Ibrahim added that Nigerian scientists and engineers are well positioned to harness the order for the country’s economic sustainability.

He said NOTAP had initiated several programs that will benefit members of academia, such as interventions in the patenting of Research and Development (R&D) results, as well as inventions for Nigerian researchers.

Ibrahim said: “NAS members should file claims for their inventions with NOTAP to get help patenting them for free.”

Earlier in his speech, Brande said the academy is Nigeria’s leading independent scientific body, established in 1977 but incorporated in 1986 to develop and promote STI.

He stated that the academy works closely with the Nigerian government to embed scientific knowledge into policy as well as the country’s strategic direction.

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“The academy is also the third oldest academy on the African continent and a founding member of the Network of African Academies of Sciences (NASAC).”

“The academy has a working relationship with academies in Africa and around the world, as well as with other organizations, and has successfully implemented projects with many of them.

“As with national academies in other countries, NAS is a non-profit organization,” he said.

Brande praised the DG for his presentation, adding that the various activities NOTAP was involved in were also in line with NAS mandates.