Abuja: The Federal Government has approved N2 billion in the 2026 budget for the establishment of standard laboratories aimed at addressing critical gaps in scientific research and accelerating the transition of research outputs from laboratories to the market. This was disclosed by the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, at the 7th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lawal, who was represented by Dr. Bello Bwari, the Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), stated that the approved budgetary allocation follows concerns about the lack of standard laboratories necessary for ensuring the safety and credibility of research products across the nation. The initiative is part of a broader program involving key agencies like the National Agricultural Seed Council, the National Biotechnology Development Agency, and the NBMA, aimed at facilitating research commercialisation and enhancing food security.
Lawal also announced the formation of a national working group dedicated to bridging gaps in agriculture and food security by promoting completed research projects. He highlighted a specific project, a cowpea research initiative by the Institute of Agricultural Research, Zaria, which aims to reduce post-harvest losses and is expected to begin after the first quarter of the year.
Retired Brigadier General Mohammed Marwa, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underscored the importance of human capital as a key asset in a knowledge-based economy. Represented by Malam Hamisu Lawal, Marwa highlighted the threats posed by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking to productivity and innovation. He emphasized the NDLEA’s commitment to using scientific research as a backbone for their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) and expressed the agency’s dedication to maintaining a secure and productive research environment.
Prof. Ekanem Braide, President of the Network of African Science Academies, noted that Africa’s underdevelopment is partly due to challenges in converting research into economic growth. The conference’s theme, ‘From Research to Market: The Making of Knowledge-Based Economies,’ aligns with efforts to enhance collaboration among national science academies in Africa for sustainable development.
Dr. Kyari Mohammed, Director of the African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, remarked on Nigeria’s existing policies on research commercialisation, highlighting implementation as a significant challenge. He advocated for prioritising investment in human capital, drawing examples from countries like Singapore and China that have transformed their economies through strategic investments in science and innovation.