NABDA STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIP WITH ICGEB FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

As part of efforts to strengthen partnership with local and international organisations for sustainable development of Nigeria, the DG/CEO NABDA led a delegation on a working visit to the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) headquarters in Trieste, Italy. In the delegation were the Chairman of the NABDA Board, H. E. Chief Clement Ebri and Head of the ICGEB Desk, Dr. Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo.

The delegation met with the ICGEB Director-General, Dr. Lawrence Banks and his management team.

During the working visit, the status of ongoing projects was appraised. Furthermore, strategies were developed to foster future synergies in the fields of nutritional improvement of crops, biofuel production, access to affordable medicines and improved agricultural products, as well as provide fellowships for young Nigerian scientists to work in its laboratories.

In his remarks, the ICGEB Appointed Governor, Liaison officer and DG-CEO, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha thanked the DG, ICGEB, Dr. Lawrence Banks, for the impact of its membership in ICGEB on Nigerian scientists. He noted that the various programmes of the ICGEB such as fellowships, meetings and courses, standard and early career collaborative research projects (CRPs) grants, and WE-STAR programme, technology transfer opportunities have contributed to Nigeria’s development. Thereafter, he presented different requests and areas for collaboration to ICGEB

Responding, ICGEB DG, Dr. Lawrence Banks, welcomed the NABDA delegation and said most of the areas of research proposed by NABDA for collaboration were within the ICGEB research interests.
He assured the NABDA delegation of ICGEB‘s willingness to assist in equipping the agency’s laboratories through donor partners as well as support the establishment of a regional reference laboratory in NABDA if it meets the necessary conditions.

The visit, which was very fruitful, is the first physical acquaintance with the ICGEB management and facilities, since the DG’s appointment.
One of the key objectives of the visit was to explore emerging opportunities in the field of biotechnology for national development
It also sought to build on the existing relationship to further strengthen the scientific capacities of Nigeria.