FUTMINNA Strengthens Innovation Through Patent Drafting Workshop

The Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, has reinforced its commitment to innovation and research commercialization with the organization of a Technology Transfer and Commercialization Workshop on patent drafting and intellectual property protection for researchers and innovators.

The workshop was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, at the School of Infrastructure, Process Engineering and Technology, SIPET, Main Campus, and focused on equipping participants with practical skills in protecting and commercializing research outputs.

Speaking at the opening, the Dean of SIPET, Engr. Prof. O.A. Olugboji, said the workshop reflects the University's commitment to promoting innovation, protecting intellectual property, and translating research into solutions that benefit society.

The Director of the Directorate of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, DIPTT, Prof. J.O. Tijani, described the Directorate as a key driver of the University's third mission of commercializing research. 

He highlighted its roles in patent filing, technology licensing, intellectual property protection, and supporting spin-off companies, stressing that effective technology transfer enhances industry collaboration, generates revenue, and drives economic development.

In a second presentation, the Head of the Department of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Dr. Oluwafemi Adebayo Oyewole, took participants through the patent drafting process, explaining the stages from idea development and prior art search to patent filing. He emphasised the importance of novelty, proper documentation, and well-written patent claims in securing legal protection and commercializing innovations.

Closing the workshop, Prof. Olugboji thanked the resource persons and participants, and urged researchers to apply the knowledge gained by transforming innovative ideas into protected intellectual property and market-ready solutions.