UNIZIK, NOTAP Inspire Girl-Child Participation in STEM, Innovation and Research Commercialisation
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), in partnership with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has intensified efforts to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through a one-day advocacy and capacity-building programme aimed at empowering female students with knowledge of innovation, intellectual property and technology commercialisation.
The training, organised by NOTAP in collaboration with the University’s Technology Incubation Centre/Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (TIC/IPTTO), was themed “Sensitisation and Awareness Programme for Girl Child in STEM, Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Transfer (TT) Advocacy.” It sought to encourage greater participation of girls in STEM while promoting innovation, intellectual property protection and the commercialisation of research outputs.
Declaring the programme open, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, described the initiative as a timely investment in Nigeria’s future. He commended NOTAP and the University’s TIC/IPTTO for championing girl-child empowerment through science and technology education.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, empowering girls in STEM means empowering families, communities and the nation. He noted that despite the remarkable contributions of women to science and technology, they remain underrepresented in many STEM fields, stressing the need to deliberately inspire more girls to embrace science, technology, engineering and mathematics from an early stage.
He explained that early exposure to STEM builds confidence, stimulates innovation and equips young women with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development. He further observed that sustainable technological advancement can only be achieved through inclusive participation, urging the students to pursue excellence with determination and see every learning opportunity as a stepping stone to innovation.
Welcoming participants, the Chairman of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), Engr. Prof. A. C. Azubogu, described the workshop as a strategic platform for building a knowledge-driven economy through girl-child empowerment, intellectual property awareness and technology transfer.
He applauded the Vice-Chancellor for his unwavering support for practical, industry-driven education, which has strengthened research commercialisation at the University. Prof. Azubogu also appreciated NOTAP for its sustained partnership with UNIZIK, particularly the deployment of a representative to facilitate intellectual property documentation and collaborative innovation.
While calling for expanded support from NOTAP, he advocated increased capacity-building programmes, stronger university-industry partnerships, enhanced patent support for indigenous innovations and more robust technology transfer initiatives. He encouraged female students to maximise opportunities in STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship, while urging researchers to prioritise intellectual property protection as a pathway to attracting investment and commercialising research findings.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Girl Child and STEM: Shaping the Future and Bridging the Gender Gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” the Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Management (IPPTM), NOTAP, Engr. E. I. Moghalu, described STEM as a major driver of innovation, economic growth and improved healthcare.
He identified socio-cultural stereotypes, educational limitations and structural barriers as key challenges hindering girls’ participation in STEM. He explained that intellectual property protection and technology transfer remain vital tools for safeguarding innovations, encouraging research, attracting investment and accelerating national technological development.
Speaking further on “Technology Transfer: Pathway to Taking Invention from Laboratory to Commercialisation,” Engr. Moghalu highlighted technology transfer as the bridge between academic research and practical societal solutions. He outlined intellectual property protection, industry collaboration, licensing and commercialisation as critical stages in transforming research outputs into marketable products, services and sustainable enterprises.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Technology Transfer Registration Department, NOTAP, Mr. Okenwa A. Raymond, presented a paper titled “Technology Transfer Advocacy for Research Institutions in Nigeria.” He challenged Nigerian researchers to move beyond the traditional “publish or perish” culture and embrace a “patent and prosper” approach.
According to him, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices play a critical role in educating researchers on intellectual property rights, processing invention disclosures and facilitating the commercialisation of research outputs. He added that technology transfer advocacy addresses the persistent challenge of shelf-bound research by strengthening university-industry collaboration and creating viable pathways from laboratory discoveries to industrial production.
The programme climaxed with the presentation of incentives to participating female students in recognition of their commitment to STEM, innovation and technological advancement.
The event attracted notable personalities, including Dr. Chika Anthony Okonkwo, Deputy Director, Research and Innovation and Member, Bureau of TIC/TTO/IP; Mr. Christian A. C. Onebunne, NOTAP IPTTM Supervisor, UNIZIK; Prof. Uche Ngenegbo; Prof. Umeh Sophina; Dr. Noel Udeoji; Prof. Mrs. C. C. Okezie, Director, UNIZIK AI and Digital Transformation Committee, as well as Deans, Heads of Departments, professors, staff and students.