The Nigerian Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City initiative, a landmark project aimed at transforming the country into a regional hub for genomics, biotechnology, and precision medicine, while driving scientific research, innovation, and economic growth.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a strategic national investment designed to unlock Nigeria’s scientific potential and build a knowledge-based economy.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the project will harness Nigeria’s rich genomic resources to improve healthcare, strengthen food security, advance scientific research and create new opportunities for inclusive economic development.
Alausa warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population could become a liability if the country failed to invest 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,” he said.
The minister said the Nigeria Genomic City was conceived more than 20 months ago as a multi-agency and multi-ministerial initiative because of its strategic importance to national development.
He explained that the project would create a sustainable national asset capable of supporting scientific advancement, technological innovation and economic prosperity for generations.
Alausa also disclosed that the Federal Government was finalising arrangements for the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, which is expected to mobilise about 500 million dollars annually to finance research and innovation across the country.
He expressed optimism that the enabling legislation would soon receive the necessary approvals, providing sustainable funding for Nigeria’s research ecosystem.
The minister announced that the University of Abuja would host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners would provide technological and innovation support.
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He added that the Federal Ministry of Education would coordinate implementation of the project and facilitate collaboration among participating institutions.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described the initiative as a significant opportunity for Nigeria to establish itself as a global leader in scientific innovation.
She said the country’s large population, expanding research capacity and growing pool of technical experts positioned it to maximise the benefits of the project.
Also speaking, the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Professor Mayowa Owolabi, said the initiative would establish a national platform built on genomic, biological and health data to support cutting-edge research and innovation.
According to him, the project would facilitate the discovery, development and commercialisation of innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while improving crop and livestock production.
He added that the initiative would strengthen food security, safeguard Nigeria’s genomic resources through data sovereignty and intellectual property protection, integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, and develop a highly skilled scientific workforce.
Owolabi said the project would also attract investment, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position Nigeria as a global exporter of biotechnology innovations.
Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing leadership and ensuring effective collaboration among stakeholders to guarantee the successful implementation of the Nigeria Genomic City initiative.
