NBTI Teams Up With Polytechnic To Enhance Knowledge-Based Economy

The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo, and the National Board for Technology Innovation (NBTI) are working together to diversify the economy away from one that is resource-based and toward one that is knowledge-based.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja to a team from the Polytechnic headed by its Rector, Dr Michael Arimanwa, the Overseeing Director of NBTI, Akinwumi Somefu, emphasised the importance of the relationship.

“It is to strengthen institutions and encourage entrepreneurs to project their research work which will result in products and services.

“Findings can only translate to economic development if they are commercialised,” he said.

Somefu said the essence of the collaboration was to foster linkages, adding, ”as no man is an island.

“Without other sister organisations, the mandates of NBTI which include research, development and commercialisation will not be achieved.”

Somefu said that the collaboration was premised on an existing one between NBTI and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

“NBTE has directed NBTI to establish institutional incubation centres in all Polytechnics across the country so as to strengthen linkages.”

Earlier in his speech, Arimanwa underlined the significance of links and collaboration as cornerstones for the rules of technology incubation in Nigerian intellectual institutions.

”No research results will be meaningful if they are not commercialised and that’s why we are here to seek collaboration and ensure that the innovation of our researchers is being commercialised.”