Patents, Research Grants and Commercialization: FEDPOFFA Trains Scholars on Turning Innovation into Income

The drive to transform academic research into commercially viable products took a major step forward as the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic Offa hosted a high-level Research to Commercialization and Development Workshop. The intensive one-day programme, which concluded on Wednesday, January 21, 2025, brought together students, lecturers, and research scholars from different schools and departments across the institution.

The workshop, held at the Stella Obasanjo Auditorium on the mini campus, focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge on innovation development, patent protection, and research commercialization. The initiative aligns with growing national and global emphasis on monetizing academic research, technology transfer, and industry-driven innovation within tertiary institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the Rector, the Deputy Rector Academic Affairs, Dr. Egbele Peter Odion, conveyed the institution’s strong commitment to innovation-led education. In his address, the Rector and Chief Host, Engr. Dr. K. O. Kadiri, FNSE, challenged academic staff to move beyond theoretical research and begin positioning their findings for commercial relevance. Drawing from his experience as a multiple patent holder, he emphasized the need for researchers to deliberately pursue patent registration and product development.

The Rector also directed staff members to leverage the Polytechnic’s Incubation Technology Centre for support in prototyping, intellectual property documentation, and product refinement. He further reassured participants of management’s readiness to support viable research ideas, particularly those that qualify for TETFund sponsorship and other research funding opportunities.

The Head of the Department and host of the programme, Engr. Dr. F. O. Ehiagwina, reinforced this message by stressing the need for a paradigm shift in academic research culture. While commending the Polytechnic management for providing an enabling environment for professional engagement, he observed that research in many Nigerian tertiary institutions is often driven solely by publication requirements and career progression. He argued that engineering research must primarily focus on solving real-world problems and generating economic value.

Dr. Ehiagwina encouraged participants to see themselves not only as researchers but as inventor-entrepreneurs capable of translating ideas into market-ready solutions. He explained that the department is repositioning its programmes to align with global Technical and Vocational Education and Training standards, where final-year projects and scholarly research are directly linked to societal problem-solving and revenue generation.

The technical session of the workshop was delivered by a guest expert, Engr. Prof. Ajiboye Aye Taiwo, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering at the University of Ilorin. In his presentation titled Research, Invention, Patent and Commercialization of Ideas, he provided a detailed roadmap for converting innovations into protected intellectual property. He explained the stages involved in documenting inventions, securing patents, and exploring commercialization pathways, urging academics to consistently protect their ideas and pursue industry partnerships.

Further insights into the Nigerian patent ecosystem were provided by the Director of DAPFACORP, Engr. Dr. Kehinde Olufemi Oluseye. He explained the legal framework governing patents in Nigeria, including the 20-year protection granted to novel and industrially applicable inventions. He emphasized the importance of embedding commercialization strategies within academic systems and encouraged lecturers to inspire students across departments to embrace innovation-driven research.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the presentation of innovative concepts developed by participants. These included proposals for advanced security solutions to address national insecurity, a judicial decision support system, and an environmentally friendly method of reducing sulphur content in fossil fuels using water hyacinth. The presentations sparked robust discussions and interactive question-and-answer sessions that underscored the practical orientation of the programme.

The workshop was organised by the Department’s Training and Workshop Committee under the leadership of the Exam Officer, DADPIC, Engr. Dr. Surajudeen Adewale Yekeen, with Engr. K. O. Mustapha serving as Secretary. Other members of the committee included Engr. Babatunde Joseph and Engr. Kelechi Okorie.

As participants departed, the programme left behind a renewed commitment to innovation, patent commercialization, and research-driven economic development. The workshop marked a significant step toward establishing a culture where inventions from FEDPOFFA move beyond the laboratory into the marketplace, positioning the institution as a hub for commercially viable research and technological advancement.