Abuja: The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City initiative as part of efforts to transform the country into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy through scientific research, biotechnology, and precision medicine. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, announced this development in a statement issued after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on the project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Alausa emphasized that the initiative would leverage Nigeria’s rich genomic resources to improve healthcare, bolster food security, promote scientific research, and stimulate inclusive economic growth. He cautioned that the country’s growing population could become a liability if investments in research, science, and innovation were not prioritized. “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,” he stated.
The minister described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment poised to position the country as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology, and precision medicine. He revealed that the project, conceived over 20 months ago, was deliberately crafted as a multi-agency and multi-ministerial initiative due to its national significance. The initiative aims to create a sustainable national asset that will support scientific advancement and economic development for future generations.
Alausa also disclosed that the federal government is finalizing the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, which is expected to mobilize around 500 million dollars annually to support research and innovation nationwide. He expressed confidence that the enabling legislation would secure necessary approvals, paving the way for sustainable research funding.
The University of Abuja has been selected to host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation, and other partners will provide technological and innovative support. The Federal Ministry of Education will coordinate the project’s implementation and facilitate collaboration among participating institutions.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, hailed the initiative as an opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in scientific innovation. She noted that the country’s large population, growing research capacity, and expanding pool of technical experts provide a robust foundation for the project’s success.
Prof. Mayowa Owolabi, Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, stated that the initiative would establish a sustainable national platform built on genomic, biological, and health data resources. He highlighted that the project would support the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, while also enhancing crop and livestock production.
Owolabi further explained that the initiative would bolster food security, protect Nigeria’s genomic resources through data sovereignty and intellectual property protection, and integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics. He also mentioned that the project would help develop a highly skilled scientific workforce, attract investment, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora, and position Nigeria as an exporter of biotechnology innovations.
Alausa reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to providing leadership and coordination for the successful implementation of the Nigeria Genomic City through sustained collaboration with stakeholders.