FEC Approves Revised National Biotechnology Policy For Development

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Nigeria has approved the revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026 as a major step towards harnessing biotechnology more effectively for Nigeria’s economic and national development.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Toyin Omozuwa, Press Secretary of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) Abuja, the revised policy, approved at Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, updates Nigeria’s 2001 biotechnology policy after 25 years of significant advances in the field and the emergence of new applications and technologies.

NBRDA welcomed the approval, stressing that it provides a framework for biotechnology research, development, application, and commercialisation in key areas, including agriculture, healthcare, industrial production, and environmental sustainability. It also provides direction for emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, climate-smart technologies, advanced manufacturing, gene editing and genomics.

The approval also includes the Nigeria Biotechnology Partnership, which formalises Nigeria’s participation in the Global Biotechnology Partnership and is expected to strengthen access to international collaboration and investment.

The Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said the approval provides the policy direction needed to strengthen biotechnology research, promote technology transfer and commercialisation, and translate innovation into solutions and economic opportunities.

“This approval marks an important chapter in Nigeria’s biotechnology development. It provides the policy direction required to promote innovation, technology transfer and commercialisation, attract investment and expand the contribution of biotechnology to national development,” he said.

Mustapha said NBRDA will continue to work with relevant government institutions, research organisations, universities, industry, and other partners to effectively implement the policy and translate its provisions into technologies, products, and services that address national challenges.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to advancing innovation, science and technology, noting that the approval demonstrates the Administration’s recognition of biotechnology as an important tool for Nigeria’s development.

The NBRDA boss also thanked the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, for his dedication and sustained support for the advancement of biotechnology in Nigeria, the statement said.