The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and research commercialisation by organising a Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Workshop on patent drafting and intellectual property protection for researchers and innovators.
The workshop, held at the School of Infrastructure Process Engineering and Technology (SIPET), Main Campus, was aimed at equipping participants with practical skills in protecting and commercialising research outputs.
Speaking during the workshop, the Dean of SIPET, Engr. Prof. O.A. Olugboji, said the workshop reflects the University’s commitment to promoting innovation, protecting intellectual property and translating research into solutions that benefit society.
Also speaking, the Director of the Directorate of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (DIPTT), Prof. J.O. Tijani, described the Directorate as a key driver of the University’s third mission of commercialising research.
He said the Directorate facilitates patent filing, technology licensing, intellectual property protection and the development of spin-off companies, adding that effective technology transfer strengthens industry collaboration, generates revenue and drives economic development.
In a presentation, the Head of the Department of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Dr. Oluwafemi Adebayo Oyewole, took participants through the patent drafting process, explaining the stages from idea development and prior art search to patent filing.
He emphasised the importance of novelty, proper documentation and well-written patent claims in securing legal protection and commercialising innovations.
Prof. Olugboji, who declared the workshop closed, thanked the resource persons and participants and urged researchers to apply the knowledge gained by protecting their innovations and transforming them into solutions with commercial value.
