NABDA To Explore Biotechnology To Push Nigeria’s Development

biotechnological

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) says it will explore biotechnological resources across Nigeria to ensure food security, wealth creation, affordable healthcare delivery and sustainable environment.


The Director General of NABDA, Professor Lucy Ogbadu, announced the plan on Monday, when she paid a courtesy call on the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, at his office in Ilorin in southwest Nigeria.

She said the agency was playing a critical role in the sustainable development and use of indigenous bio-resources through the application of emerging science and technologies.

Professor Ogbadu expressed the determination of NABDA in imparting relevant skills on bio-enterprises on citizens, with a view to reducing unemployment in Nigeria.

She commended the Kwara State government for the swift approval of land to build bio-resources centre in the state.

The NABDA boss promised that the agency, which is under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, would explore biological materials in the state, to add value to living organisms for the benefit of humanity.

In his response, Governor Ahmed stressed the need to tap latent potentials in agriculture, in order to meet Nigeria’s food needs and expressed concern over the high import bill on food items.

He also called for biotechnological review of agricultural input, to improve yields in agriculture.The Governor promised to create partnership with the agency to enable the government achieve its plan in the agriculture sector.