by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Federal Government of Nigeria has awarded a patent, through Special License, to the University of Jos (UNIJOS) for the institution’s groundbreaking invention of an Anti-Tick Vaccine (JUTVAC-NG).
This follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the University’s request to be granted full powers, sole privilege, and authority to exercise the full benefits of this innovative novel ‘Vaccine for Livestock Development’ for a period of twenty years.
The issuance of the patent was confirmed by a letter of approval from Jane Igwe, Registrar of the Patent and Design Registry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja, recently.
The document specifies that the proprietary rights to this invention are exclusively held by the University of Jos and its inventors: Professor Goni Abraham Dogo, from the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Professor Tanko Ishaya, from the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology.
The patent prevents all other parties from practicing or imitating the invention without obtaining full consent, licence, or agreement with the University of Jos and the inventors, respectively.
This provision secures the University’s right to the intellectual property for the entire duration of the patent, as stipulated under the Certification of Registration Patent, Patents and Designs Act, Cap 344 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.
The Federal Government also encouraged the University and its esteemed Researchers to utilize the Anti-Tick Vaccine (JUTVAC-NG), a major outcome from two TETFUND NRF Grants support, for the public good, impacting both health outcomes and agricultural productivity across the nation.
It is anticipated that the Vaccine will significantly reduce the prevalence of Ticks among livestock, ultimately enhancing livelihoods and well-being within communities reliant on Farming and Agriculture.
Speaking at the event, UNIJOS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who is part of the Inventing Team, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for this recognition and support to the University.
Prof. Tanko stressed that the University is committed to ensuring that the Anti-Tick Vaccine makes a lasting positive impact on Public Health and contributes to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Also speaking, another key member of the Team, Prof. Abraham Goni Dogo, described the feat as a “significant stride towards scientific innovation and Public Health improvement within and outside Nigeria.”
He assured that, their commitment towards progress and nurturing talent within the academic and scientific communities will play a pivotal role in forging a healthier, productive and more prosperous future for the nation.