Federal Gov’t Intensifies Efforts On Biotechnology To Boost Food Security

The Federal Government has taken another step to deploy biotechnology to boost food security, strengthen the Nigerian economy and promote the commercialisation of products that emerged out of research and innovation from the country to become competitive globally.

Indications to the development emerged during the maiden edition of International Conference on Biotechnology (ICoB24), which commenced in Abuja on Monday, and organised by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) with the theme, ‘Biotechnology as an Engine for Economic Growth’.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who declared the event open, said in his remarks that the conference was apt because it promises to deepen innovation for national development, ultimately benefiting the country in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

The Vice President, who was represented by former FCT Minister, Aliyu Modibbo, called on Nigerian experts to remain resolute irrespective of the challenges they face in the sector, adding that with more investments Nigeria will explore its potential in biotechnology to enhance productivity.

“We are at the threshold in the country that we have to work extra miles, we have to endure, we have to persevere because the promised land is very near, but it requires commitment and sacrifice,” he said.

The conference, which will last till July 19, was planned to bring leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and entrepreneurs from around the world to Nigeria and also showcase Nigeria’s innovation such as the recently unveiled transgenic insect and drought-resistant maize otherwise known as TELA Maize and others like the improved cowpea.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, in his remarks, said the aim of the conference was to “facilitate the deployment of biotechnology to significantly expand the output of our national economy. Biotechnology has the potential to boost our Gross Domestic Products (GDP) by increasing the total value of all goods and services produced in Nigeria, thus contributing to the economic diversification of the country and ending Nigeria’s overreliance on oil.”

The Minister, who was represented by Olawale Agoro, asserted that massive investment in biotechnology will make “food insecurity a thing of the past in Nigeria” adding that its application will lead to improved crop yields, drought- resistant crops and better agricultural practices.”

He said: “One of the objectives of this conference is to highlight significant global biotechnology breakthroughs and underscore their applicability and potential benefits for our nation and continent. Showcasing examples of scientific research activities that have contributed to economic development can build trust and demonstrate science’s practical value.”

For his part, director-general of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, in his speech, said “biotechnology holds the key to revolutionizing the Nigerian economy in varied sectors, from agriculture to healthcare, environmental management to industrial processes, and unlocking sustainable development and economic prosperity.

“Nigeria, with its rich biodiversity, dynamic population, and growing technological capabilities, is uniquely positioned to leverage biotechnology for transformative growth.”

In his keynote address, former governor of Cross River State, Clement Ebri, lamented that Nigeria and other countries in Africa were lagging behind in the research and development components of the sector and tasked the government and other partners to increase investment in research and development.

He called for sector-specific investment models that would make biotechnology a veritable contributor to Africa’s GDP growth.