The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Enterprise DRIE at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), in collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, held a one-day Capacity Building Workshop on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The event took place at the university’s Old Senate Chamber and was themed: “Capacity Building for Effective Intellectual Property Management.” The workshop aimed to promote research innovation, creativity, and efficient intellectual property (IP) management within the university community and beyond.
In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, Fellow of UNESCO, ACLS, and FIIFPN, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Muhammad Maikano Ari, expressed appreciation to the keynote speaker, Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, for his unwavering support in strengthening IP awareness and protection in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
She noted that one of the major hindrances to entrepreneurship in Nigerian universities is the absence of a comprehensive IP policy and lack of effective IP management.
“This has resulted in poor intellectual property development and weak collaboration among universities, industry, and government—elements essential for sustainable economic growth,” she stated.
“At NSUK, we are repositioning research for disruptive innovation, aiming to foster new products, technologies, processes, and business models.”
Delivering his address, the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Enterprise, Professor Josiah C. Onovo, emphasized the timeliness of the theme, stating that:
“There remains a critical gap between innovative research outputs from universities and their commercialization. Many innovations developed in tertiary institutions fail to reach the market due to inadequate focus on intellectual property as a vital tool for commercialization.”
Professor Onovo stressed the importance of strategic IP management as a driver of economic development, highlighting its role in fostering partnerships with small and medium enterprises and various industry sectors.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, Linkages and Alumni Affairs), Associate Professor K’tso Nghargbu, commended the Nigerian Copyright Commission for organizing the workshop. He reiterated the role of effective IP management in:
“Protecting innovations, creations, and brand identities, while simultaneously nurturing a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship that drives national development.”
He encouraged participants to leverage the insights shared during the workshop to build a sustainable culture of innovation and IP respect.
In his keynote address, Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, lauded NSUK’s leadership for its continued efforts toward academic excellence and research development.
“The success of any academic institution is rooted in its ability to harness research, innovation, and creativity through effective IP management,” he said, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to supporting NSUK and similar institutions in this regard.
As part of the visit, the Nigerian Copyright Commission team received university souvenirs. In a show of appreciation, Dr. Asein presented an award to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, during a courtesy call.
The visit concluded with a group photograph at the Senate Penthouse, marking a successful end to the impactful event.
Information and Protocol Unit, 2025.