The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City initiative as part of efforts to transform the country into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy through scientific research, biotechnology and precision medicine.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the project.
Alausa said the initiative would harness Nigeria’s rich genomic resources to improve healthcare, strengthen food security, promote scientific research and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
He warned that Nigeria’s growing population could become a burden if the country failed to invest in research, science and innovation.
”The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity for us if we fail to act. We do not have a choice,” he said.
The minister described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment that would position the country as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine.
He said the project was conceived more than 20 months ago and deliberately designed as a multi-agency and multi-ministerial initiative because of its national importance.
According to him, the project is aimed at creating a sustainable national asset that will support scientific advancement and economic development for generations.
Alausa said the Federal Government was also finalizing the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, expected to mobilize about 500 million dollars annually to support research and innovation across the country.
He expressed optimism that the enabling legislation would receive the necessary approvals, paving the way for sustainable funding for research.
The minister disclosed that the University of Abuja would host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other partners would provide technological and innovation supports.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Education would coordinate implementation of the project and facilitate collaboration among participating institutions.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the initiative as an opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in scientific innovation.
She said the country’s large population, growing research capacity and expanding pool of technical experts provided a solid foundation for the project’s success.
Also speaking, Prof. Mayowa Owolabi, Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, University of Ibadan, said the initiative would establish a sustainable national platform built on genomic, biological and health data resources.
According to him, the project will support the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while also improving crop and livestock production.
He added that the initiative would strengthen food security, protect Nigeria’s genomic resources through data sovereignty and intellectual property protection, and integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.
Owolabi said the project would also develop a highly skilled scientific workforce, attract investment, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position Nigeria as an exporter of biotechnology innovations.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing leadership and coordination for the successful implementation of the Nigeria Genomic City through sustained collaboration with stakeholders.(NAN).
