Enhancing Nigeria’s Biotechnology Effort

Nigeria is committed to building its capacity for global competitiveness in biotechnology and has made significant milestones in research and development. The country has also made investments and achievements in key areas of agriculture, medical, environmental, food, and industrial biotech.

Pushing this commitment further, early this year, the federal government, through the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), unveiled transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize, the product of extensive research and innovation, among other significant achievements.

Recently, the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries, also approved the commercial release and open cultivation of the transgenic insect-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties known as TELA Maize, along with other high-yielding crop varieties, at its 33rd meeting, which was held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in Ibadan.

This innovation may have intensified the enthusiasm that the transgenic insect-resistant and drought- tolerant maize recently approved for mass production and commercialisation in the country will benefit the country and transform it into the hub of global maize production and perhaps the maize value chain. Experts consider it an improvement in Nigeria’s journey towards agricultural prosperity and sustainable development.

Commenting on this development, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said it has demonstrated that biotechnology has the power to address pressing agricultural challenges, enhance crop resilience, and improve the livelihoods of farmers and citizens when properly funded. The benefits are far-reaching, promising increased crop yields, enhanced resilience to pests and diseases, reduced environmental impact, and improved nutritional content.

As a newspaper, we acknowledge that this development gives stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, including farmers, extension workers, and private sector partners, an opportunity to produce these new crop varieties and contribute to Nigeria’s more prosperous, sustainable, and food-secure future.

However, the optimism appears to be token, considering that Nigeria is yet to maximise its full potential in this sector. The reason, in our opinion, is not far to seek. The challenges facing Nigeria and other African countries on biotechnology include lack of funds, loss of trained technical expertise, slow development of the biotechnology sector, inadequate intellectual property rights infrastructure,  and the government not taking a more active political role in promoting the technology.

If Nigeria is to exploit its full potential in this sector, we suggest that systems and structures be put in place to achieve this purpose. We also reckon with the fact that the aim of mass production of the species of maize is only possible in an atmosphere of security.  Farmlands in Nigeria have come under attack by bandits and herdsmen, with massive killing and displacement of farmers and the disruption of the agriculture value chain and food shortages.  This makes it imperative for governments at all levels to ensure adequate security for farmers.

In our opinion, Nigeria can leverage this unique opportunity to be the global hub of the production of these species and help nurture a new vista in food security, which will enhance Nigeria’s clout in international relations. However, this sector’s real foreign partners and investors will not come here with the country’s present insecurity level.

Notwithstanding, NABDA has an opportunity to show the world this important innovation, as well as other genetics and bioinformatics innovations it has made in recent years, as Nigeria prepares to host an international conference on Biotechnology, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja between July 15 and 19, 2024.

According to the Director/Country Coordinator OFAB Nigeria, Dr. Rose Gidado, “the objective of the conference is to highlight the advancements that have been made in the area of biotechnology globally, discuss potential applications and benefits to the African continent, and demonstrate how we can use this technology to drive economic growth.”

The conference, tagged “Biotechnology and engine for economic growth,” also aims to connect African scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders with international expertise. Therefore, as the world gathers in Nigeria to brainstorm on biotechnology’s potential and actual benefits, we urge the Nigerian government to dedicate more investment to this by increasing the funding.

Many people have misconceptions about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO products), which they believe have harmful effects on consumers. Therefore, NABDA’s task is to sensitise and partner with important media organisations to enlighten the public that GMO products are scientifically proven, have empirical validity and are safe for consumption.

We believe technology can actually contribute to food security in Nigeria and the transformation of farmers’ livelihoods because it will increase their yields. Nigerians must seize this opportunity to explore industry engagements, identify opportunities, and find solutions to the challenges of biotechnology, such as poor funding.

We commend the agency’s effort to source funds from partners and international organisations, but sectors like this need government extra-budgetary measures to strengthen their capacity. This also requires effective collaboration of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors.