Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), says Nigeria will harness the multi-billion-dollar biotechnology market by bringing investors to translate research outcomes into products.
Mustapha said this on Friday, July 19, 2024, in an interview on the sidelines of a five-day International Conference on Biotechnology (ICoB24) hosted in Abuja by the NBRDA.
The director-general, who said that biotechnology had huge potential for Nigeria, emphasised the need to harness it to have a direct impact on the economy and wellbeing of the people.
According to him, the way to go is to encourage and give real time investors the opportunity to come in, and this will have a direct impact on the economy and wellbeing of the people.
Mustapha, who said the conference was a big success, assured that the aftermath would usher in new products into the country which would translate into gains for Nigerians.
“When this happens, the economic landscape will be changed in terms of earnings, healthcare delivery, agriculture, cleaner environment among others.
“All these are what will also contribute to the growth of the economy, ” he said.
The NBRDA boss added that the conference offered opportunity for people from other African countries to learn from Nigeria, with the possibility of investing in the country.
He noted that the theme of the conference, “Biotechnology as an engine for economic growth”, resonated deeply and highlighted the crucial role of biotechnology in shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape.
He said it also highlighted the role of biotechnology in enhancing food security, healthcare, fostering industrial development and preserving the environment.
According to him, the seeds of transformative change have been planted and nurturing them, allowing innovation to flourish, and progress to thrive, is a collective duty.
He said it was important to remain resolute in the commitment to harness biotechnology as a driver for positive change.
He added that the knowledge shared, with networks built during the conference wouid continue to yield benefits for years to come.
Mustapha expressed optimism that insights shared at the conference wouid reach a broader audience which would be translated into tangible advancements in the biotechnology sector.
“It is our collective responsibility to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, challenge assumptions, and embrace change as we work together to create a prosperous future for generations to come,” Mustapha said.
Also speaking, Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department of the NBRDA and Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference corroborated that biotechnology had potentials to harness.
Gidado said biotechnology was also a powerful tool for economic change, a beacon of hope, transformative and useful.
She said in the field of agriculture, it brought sustainability and improved crop yields and animal improvement.
Prof. Julian Osuji, Director, Regional Centre for Biotechnology and Bio-resources Research, University of Port Harcourt and resource person at the conference, said the conference provided avenue to bring biotechnologists together.
