The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging intellectual property and scientific innovation as key drivers of economic diversification, technological advancement, and national security.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), led by its Director, Mr. Oluwatobi Moody.
Dr. Udeh explained that intellectual property rights protect creative ideas and enable innovators to commercially exploit their inventions, adding that stronger collaboration with WIPO will deepen innovation and technology development in Nigeria.
He also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the commercialization of research outputs in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the minister, translating research into marketable products will help stimulate job creation, reduce poverty, and strengthen Nigeria’s knowledge-based economy.
Earlier, Moody said the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between WIPO and the ministry in supporting innovators and expanding the use of intellectual property for economic development.
He commended the ministry’s renewed focus on research commercialization and innovation-driven development, noting that Nigeria has significant potential to leverage intellectual property as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
FMIST, Defence Ministry Forge Strategic Alliance to Advance Indigenous Military Technologies
Meanwhile, the ministry is also deepening collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to deploy Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in strengthening Nigeria’s national security and defence capabilities.
Udeh disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Defence, General (rtd) Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
He stressed that science and innovation remain critical pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture, enhancing national security, and building indigenous technological capacity.
According to him, stronger collaboration between both ministries will accelerate research and development, drive the commercialization of innovative solutions, and promote the development of home-grown technologies to support Nigeria’s defence and security operations.
The minister also highlighted the need to harness Nigeria’s pool of scientists, engineers, and researchers to develop strategic technologies in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and other defence-related innovations.
Responding, Musa commended the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology for promoting research and innovation nationwide.
He affirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Defence to work closely with FMIST in harnessing Nigeria’s scientific and technological resources to develop indigenous defence solutions capable of addressing emerging security challenges.
The engagement, according to the ministry, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging innovation, science, and technology as strategic tools for strengthening national defence, promoting self-reliance, and driving sustainable national development.