By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a knowledge and innovation-driven economy with the unveiling of the Nigeria Genomic City, a landmark initiative aimed at harnessing the country’s vast genomic resources to advance scientific research, improve healthcare, strengthen food security and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, warned that Nigeria’s growing population could become a national burden if the country fails to make strategic investments 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,” the Minister said.
He described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment that will position Nigeria as a regional leader in genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine, while supporting the country’s transition from a resource-based economy to one driven by knowledge, technology and innovation.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that the initiative, conceived over 20 months ago, was deliberately designed as a multi-agency, multi-ministerial project because of its national significance. He stressed that the project belongs to Nigeria rather than any single institution or ministry and should be implemented through broad national collaboration.
He noted that although Africa possesses some of the world’s richest genomic resources, the continent has derived limited benefits from them due to unequal global data-sharing arrangements. According to him, Nigeria must strengthen genomic research, protect its scientific resources and ensure data sovereignty while attracting mutually beneficial international partnerships.
The Minister also announced that the Federal Government is finalising the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, expected to mobilise about 500 million dollars annually to support research and innovation across the country, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
He further revealed that the University of Abuja will host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners will provide technological and innovation support. The Federal Ministry of Education will coordinate implementation and facilitate collaboration among participating institutions.
On her part, the minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described the initiative as a unique opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in scientific innovation. She said the country’s large population, expanding research capacity and growing pool of technical experts provide a strong foundation for the project’s success, assuring stakeholders of the Ministry’s full support.
Presenting the project’s technical framework, the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, said the Nigeria Genomic City would establish a national platform for genomic, biological and health data to drive discoveries in disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and precision medicine.
He added that the initiative would also boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, attract investment, promote biotechnology innovation, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and develop a globally competitive scientific workforce.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the leadership and coordination required to deliver the project, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners and the private sector would unlock Nigeria’s scientific potential and enhance its global competitiveness.
