The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion has unveiled plans to commercialize research from Nigerian universities and research institutions through partnerships with investors and industry, aiming to boost revenue, create jobs and reduce dependence on imported technology.

Director General Obiageli Amadiobi disclosed the initiative while receiving the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Federal Capital Territory Council, with both organizations agreeing to collaborate on promoting innovation and intellectual property awareness. Central to the plan is a National Technology and Innovation Summit set for October 2026 in Lagos, which will bring together researchers, investors and financial institutions including the Bank of Industry to match research outputs with commercial partners.

Amadiobi said many Nigerian innovations remain unused due to inadequate funding and weak industry links, and that the agency intends to reverse this by connecting researchers with investors capable of bringing their work to market. She said journalists have a crucial role in advancing the country’s innovation ecosystem through accurate reporting on science and technology, and highlighted the agency’s Local Vendor Policy, which requires foreign equipment manufacturers to train Nigerians, as a model that has already produced a growing pool of local software developers.

She said the agency is developing a Technology and Innovation Hub for hands on demonstrations of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, and is partnering with firms such as Huawei, MTN and Airtel to build local technical capacity. She also unveiled the National Outsourcing Value Acceleration Programme, aimed at giving young Nigerians industry ready skills through simulation based training in sectors including engineering and manufacturing, and said several states, including Niger State, have expressed interest in partnering with the agency to establish local innovation centers.

Nigeria Union of Journalists Federal Capital Territory Chairman Grace Ike described the agency as one of Nigeria’s most strategic institutions for technology transfer and intellectual property protection, proposing regular training for journalists covering science and technology alongside joint public campaigns on research commercialization.