Section 2: Functions of the Institute.

The Institute shall-(a) conduct industrial research up to pilot plants for the development of the micro, small, medium and large scale industries in Nigeria;
(b) conduct research and development into-
(i) foods and agro-allied processing technology,
(ii) Pulp and Paper technology,
(iii) product design and packaging, and
(iv) design and fabrication of processing equipment
(c) render consultancy services to evaluate the technical and economic viability of technology-based enterprises;
(d) provide technical assistance services for the growth of indigenous services;
(e) assist in accelerating the industrialisation of the Nigeria economy through research programmes and technology development;
(f) promote the establishment and growth of intermediate product industries;
(g) identify indigenous technologies in the areas of foods, non-foods processing and develop them into modern technology;
(h)
assist in the transfer, adaptation and utiliation of technologies by industries through organised technology transfer and techno- entrepreneurship development programmes and other means that will ensure the end results of research carried out get to the relevant end users for rapid industrialisation and socio-economic growth of Nigeria;
(i) carry out appropriate research to ensure compliance with standards and specifications designated by the Institute and approved by other regulatory authorities in Nigeria for effective control of quality of foods and other industrial products;
(j) establish and equip research and development laboratories with relevant standard facilities for the Institute;
(k) conduct, review and supervise research and development program and projects in local foods and agro-allied processing, pulp and paper processing, product design and packaging technologies, design and fabrication of prototype processing equipment;
(l) liaise with relevant establishments within and outside Nigeria under the functions of the Institute;
(m) establish and operate world class laboratories and workshops as centres of excellence for cutting edge research in all aspects of industrial research;
(n) establish demonstration factories, spin-off companies and industrial parks to ensure rapid commercialisation of its research and development output as well as providing necessary avenues for training and re- training of skilled labour and manpower, including students of tertiary institutions on industrial attachment;
(o) encourage and promote the commercialisation of research and development innovation results through patents in conjunction with National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP);
(p) establish and operate zonal, state and regional offices for effective delivery and deployment of its services in Nigeria, Africa and other continents of the world;
(q) provide technical consultancy services and industrial troubleshooting to industries for revenue generation and for quality control;
(r) conduct techno-economic evaluation study on its developed technologies with a view to providing justifications for investments and attract entrepreneurs to invest in such technologies;
(s) collaborate with relevant bodies especially tertiary institutions to develop curricula or modules for appropriate technology transfer and techno-entrepreneurship training programmes with a view of diploma awards;
(t) achieve a high research and development output and revenue;
(u) make the desired impact on national, economic and social development;
(v) be member of relevant International Scientific bodies;
(w) publish research results of its activities and collaborate with educational institutions and other relevant government institutes, organisations, agencies, councils and industries in research and development; and
(x) carry out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions under this Act.