The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has welcomed the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026.
The Agency described it as a major step towards harnessing biotechnology for Nigeria’s economic and national development.
This was contained in a statement signed by the its Press Secretary, Toyin Omozuwa.
The revised policy, approved at Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, updates Nigeria’s 2001 biotechnology policy after 25 years of advances in the field and the emergence of new applications and technologies.
It provides a framework for biotechnology research, development, application and commercialisation in key areas, including agriculture, healthcare, industrial production and environmental sustainability.
The policy also provides direction for emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, climate-smart technologies, advanced manufacturing, gene editing and genomics.
The approval includes the Nigeria Biotechnology Partnership, which formalises Nigeria’s participation in the Global Biotechnology Partnership and is expected to strengthen access to international collaboration and investment.
The Director-General of NBRDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, said; “the approval provides the policy direction needed to strengthen biotechnology research, promote technology transfer and commercialisation, and translate innovation into solutions and economic opportunities.”
“This approval marks an important chapter in Nigeria’s biotechnology development. It provides the policy direction required to promote innovation, technology transfer and commercialisation, attract investment and expand the contribution of biotechnology to national development,” he said.
Professor Mustapha said NBRDA would continue to work with relevant government institutions, research organisations, universities, industry and other partners to ensure the effective implementation of the policy and translate its provisions into technologies, products and services that address national challenges.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to advancing innovation, science and technology, noting that “the approval demonstrated the administration’s recognition of biotechnology as an important tool for Nigeria’s development.”
The NBRDA Director-General also thanked the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh for his dedication and sustained support for the advancement of biotechnology in Nigeria.
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