On May 18, 2019, the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) commissioned a new office – the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO). This establishment was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, H.E Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and is poised to provide numerous benefits to researchers and traditional medicine practitioners.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu emphasized the importance of IPTTO in promoting research and development in Nigeria. He stated that “the establishment of IPTTO at the NNMDA office is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to promoting innovation and commercialization of research outputs in the country.”

The IPTTO office is a much-needed addition to the NNMDA and will help facilitate technology transfer and promotion thereby enhancing research – Industry relationship. With this new office in place, researchers can now protect their intellectual property rights and ensure that their research is used only for its intended purpose. The traditional medicine practitioners can also benefit from this office by gaining access to cutting-edge technology and research.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Director-General/CE of NNMDA, Dr. S.O Etatuvie, expressed his excitement about the establishment of the IPTTO office. He stated that the office would provide a platform for traditional medicine practitioners to access the latest research and technology. This, in turn, would improve the quality of traditional medicine and make it more effective.

Also commenting on the establishment of the IPTTO office was the Coordinator of IPTTO (NNMDA), Mrs Stella Ani. She explained that the office would be responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property rights, supporting research and development activities, and promoting technology transfer in Nigeria. Mrs Ani emphasized that the IPTTO office would serve as a vital link between researchers, traditional medicine practitioners and the industry. She encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities from the IPTTO.

Present at the ceremony were also staff of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), who expressed their support for the new office. They explained that the establishment of the IPTTO office would help to promote innovation, foster collaboration between researchers, traditional medicine practitioners and other stakeholders, and enhance the overall development of Nigeria’s technology sector.

The establishment of the IPTTO office at the NNMDA Lagos office is a significant and timely development for researchers and traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria.