Nnaji hails NOTAP, PZ Cussons partnership in advancing research

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc for their synergy in promoting critical and demand-driven research in Nigerian universities and research establishments through the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) scheme.

In a statement signed by Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu, for the Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit, the Minister gave this commendation at the commissioning of the upgraded Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Jos, Plateau State, on Tuesday.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, expressed deep concern over the level of research carried out in Nigerian knowledge establishments due to insufficient research laboratories.

He commended PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc for sponsoring the upgrade of eight Chemistry and Chemical Laboratories of selected universities and research institutions in Nigeria, which, according to him, has increased not only the level of credible research undertakings but also the enthusiasm of Nigerian researchers.

The Minister said that the partnership was initiated when NOTAP, during its monitoring exercise, observed a disconnect between the industry and the national system of innovation (NSI), which has inadvertently led to a lack of confidence in graduates and research capabilities by the industry.

He further stated that, in order to address the identified weaknesses and bridge the gap between academia and industry, NOTAP introduced several industry partnership initiatives, including the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction that since the commencement of the programme, only PZ Cussons has participated, spending over seven hundred million naira (N700,000,000) in upgrading and commissioning ten laboratories, out of which eight, including that of UNIJOS, have been fully upgraded and commissioned.

In her remarks, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, said that the synergy between the Office and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc demonstrates the power of Public-Private Partnerships in the socio-economic development of the nation.

She stated that the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade initiative was introduced to bridge the gap between academia and industry by enabling credible and industry-driven research for the advancement of the sector. She emphasised that, as an industry player, PZ Cussons understands its challenges, hence the donation of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to knowledge institutions to sharpen students’ skills in conducting and delivering globally acceptable research results.

Dr. Amadiobi further noted that, since the introduction of the programme, only PZ Cussons has shown interest. She used the opportunity to call on other multinational companies to join hands with PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc to ensure that more Nigerian schools benefit from the initiative, as its impact is already being felt by both beneficiaries and the benefactor.

She expressed delight at the favourable disposition of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in supporting NOTAP and encouraging the partnership, which, according to her, has yielded significant results in critical knowledge acquisition, especially in science-related fields across the geopolitical zones of the country.

The DG also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos for his support and enthusiasm in fast-tracking the commissioning of the upgraded laboratory, as well as for the warm reception and hospitality.

In his goodwill message, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dimitris Kostianis, represented by Mr. Samson Moju, Head of Corporate Service and the Project African Leadership Team, said that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc remains committed to advancing critical research in Nigeria through its continued efforts to upgrade laboratories in Nigerian knowledge institutions. He added that the company’s relationship with NOTAP has gone beyond rhetoric, as PZ is currently involved in three major projects.

According to him, apart from the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP), the company is also engaged in the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) and the Technology Storyboard initiative.

In his words of appreciation, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed joy at the realisation of their dream. He noted that the equipment arrived just in time for the accreditation team’s visit to the university for the accreditation of additional courses. He added that all the successes recorded were based on the equipment the accreditation team inspected, describing the partnership as a wonderful experience.