The federal government has ordered all ministries, departments, and agencies to prioritize indigenous Nigerian companies and locally developed technologies in science and engineering projects to boost local content in the non-oil economy, a move announced alongside the presentation of thirteen patent certificates to Nigerian inventors facilitated by NOTAP.

Udeh stressed that patents must be commercialized into viable industries, with the Ministry and NOTAP tailoring support to connect innovators with partners capable of bringing innovations to market, praising the awardees as the vanguard of Industry 5.0 in Nigeria.

The Ministry and NOTAP will provide tailored support to each inventor to assist in commercialising innovations and accelerating GDP impact.

An amendment to Executive Order 5 is nearing presidential assent to become legally binding.

Overall, this effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce import dependence, empower Nigerian businesses, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy by bridging research to commercially viable industrial solutions.

An implementation team for Presidential Executive Order 5, working with NOTAP and other MDAs, will roll out a comprehensive framework to institutionalize local content across non-oil and gas sectors.

The framework will set guidelines to ensure local content in public procurement for projects with science and technology components across multiple sectors.

The framework aims to turn research outputs into commercially viable solutions by linking universities, research institutes, and the private sector to spur industrialization and reduce reliance on imported technology.

Udeh outlined plans to deepen collaboration between research institutions and industry, mandating universities to operate aggressive commercial units under Executive Order 5 and the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2022).

NOTAP Director-General Obiageli Amadiobi called the event a milestone for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, noting NOTAP has facilitated over 400 patents at no cost and supports IP protection through partnerships with WIPO and the Patent Registry.

Amadiobi highlighted NOTAP’s role in enabling more than 400 patent filings at no cost and its push to establish IP and Technology Transfer Offices in universities and research institutions to promote problem-solving research and lessen dependence on imported technologies.

A strategic framework will prioritize Nigerian firms, locally sourced materials, and indigenous services in public projects and procurement involving science, engineering, and technology, covering advanced manufacturing, construction, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy, with EO5 slated for presidential assent to become binding.