Minna: The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) has called for the establishment of a robust, well-funded, and commercially focused biotechnology ecosystem to convert Nigeria’s scientific knowledge and biological resources into sustainable wealth. This appeal was made in a communiqué titled ‘Minna Declaration 2026,’ released at the conclusion of the society’s 38th International Annual Scientific Conference held in Minna.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, which took place from August 23 to August 27, revolved around the theme ‘Advancing Safe Biotechnology for Sustainable Wealth Creation.’ The communiqué was co-signed by Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, President of BSN, and Prof. Dickson Achimugu, Vice-President. Attendees included scientists, researchers, academics, policymakers, regulators, industry representatives, development partners, and students.
The participants emphasized the need for Nigeria to transition from producing scientific abstracts and publications to converting research into t
echnologies, products, enterprises, industries, and jobs. They highlighted that scientific productivity should be evaluated based on its societal and economic impact.
Furthermore, the declaration advocated for a shift in biotechnology research from being primarily supply-driven to becoming problem-driven, demand-driven, and impact-oriented. The preferred research pathway should begin with identifying a real problem, followed by stakeholder engagement, and needs assessment before developing research questions and scientific solutions.
The participants also recommended the creation of a national bench-to-market pipeline to support innovations from discovery and proof of concept through validation, intellectual-property protection, product development, regulatory approval, and commercialization. They urged Nigeria to enhance technology-transfer offices, innovation hubs, incubators, and partnerships between research institutions and private industry to bridge the gap between scientific and commercial outputs.
The scientists identified the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), synthetic biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and bio-manufacturing as a critical frontier for Nigeria’s future biotechnology development. They proposed an innovation pathway centered on ‘predict, design, govern, and manufacture,’ emphasizing that the ability to predict and design should be accompanied by responsible governance, including biosafety, biosecurity, ethics, risk assessment, quality assurance, and regulatory oversight.
Additionally, the declaration called for the development of industrial capacity to scale up and utilize locally generated biotechnology innovations. The participants argued that funding biotechnology should be considered a strategic national investment in technological sovereignty, industrial development, and economic prosperity.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the declaration further highlights biotechnology’s potential in addressing food and nutrition challenges. It underscores the role of biotechn
ology in enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience, protecting the environment, advancing healthcare, and developing products from indigenous biological resources.