NBRDA, Federal University Lokoja to Collaborate on Biotechnology Research and Innovation

The Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has expressed the Agency’s commitment to collaborate with the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on biotechnology research and innovation, capacity building and technology transfer.

He disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Prof. Mustapha noted that NBRDA’s expertise in medical, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology, food biotechnology, bioinformatics, genome editing and transgenic research, supported by its network of bioresources development centres and researchers, provides a strong foundation for collaborative research, technology transfer and human capital development.

Earlier, Prof. Ibileye said the visit was aimed at establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with NBRDA.

He noted that the University, with over 30,000 students and 14 newly approved academic programmes, is expanding its research capacity and strengthening collaboration with leading research institutions.

The VC identified medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, nanobiotechnology and bioinformatics as priority areas of collaboration. He also expressed the University’s interest in joint research, staff and student exchange programmes, capacity building, technology transfer and the commercialisation of research outputs.

Both institutions agreed to constitute a joint working team to outline detailed areas of collaboration and develop a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide the collaboration between both institutions.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dantani Musa; the Registrar, Dr. Rebecca Okojie; Deans of Faculties; and other Principal Officers of the Federal University Lokoja.