Agricultural Biotechnology

Department of Agricultural Biotechnology

The activities of the Department are geared towards the use of biotechnology to meet the National Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) targets on agriculture and food security.

MISSION: To undertake research, development and innovation, promotion and deployment of appropriate biotechnologies for increased productivity and value chain development to enhance sustainable agriculture and food security.

VISION: To become a centre of excellence in research and development, promotion, policy implementation and service delivery in agricultural biotechnology.

FOCAL AREAS:

Acquisition and domestication of innovative and emerging biotechnologies for sustainable agriculture based on established ethical/biosafety protocols
Improvement and development of higher-yielding crop varieties that are resistant/ tolerant to prevailing abiotic (drought, flooding, salinity etc.) & biotic (e.g. pest & diseases) stresses, biofortification and value chain development aimed at linking farmers with emerging technologies & markets
Development & provision of genetic modification approach for increased efficiency of high-quality food & animal production
Education, public awareness & sensitization on genetically improved crops varieties developed and made available for sustainable food production.

ACTIVITIES: The Department operates under two main divisions; Plant and Animal Biotechnology. The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) is a key programme of the Outreach unit and is directly under the office of the Director.

Divisions

PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY DIVISION

Plant Biotechnology Divison

The activities of this Division include R&D and training on conventional tissue culture, Temporary Immersion Reaction System (TIBs), plant transformation, agronomy, plant protection, and post-harvest processing technologies.

ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY DIVISION

Animal Biotechnology Division

Research activities of the Division are geared towards the development of sustainable aquaculture & livestock industries. These include catfish & tilapia reproduction technologies, fish feed production technologies, local raw materials for fish feed production, enhanced livestock reproduction technologies, artificial insemination, oestrus synchronization, mass ovulation in conjunction with embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization and other activities that improve livestock production & veterinary as well as training on broodstock management and fingerlings production.

OPEN FORUM ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY (OFAB)

Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology ( OFAB)

This is an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). It was established in 2009 with NABDA as the host organization and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) as co-host. Activities of the OFAB, Nigeria include: bringing together and networking of stakeholders national and international to enhance the promotion of Agricultural Biotechnology, packaging and sharing information between institutions and building capacity of stakeholders at all levels among others. The forum is one of the platforms used to launch the education, public awareness and sensitization programmes of the Department. Visit http://www.ofabnigeria.com for more information.

Abridged Profile of Rose Suniso Maxwell Gidado, PhD

Abridged Profile of Rose Suniso Maxwell Gidado, PhD

Rose started her public service carrier at the Sheda Science and technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja as a Research Assistant in the Advanced Biotechnology laboratory in the year 2001. In 2002, she got transferred to National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA). She is currently a Deputy Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department at NABDA under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja and the Country Coordinator, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, where she is actively involved in outreach to increase public understanding of biotechnology and Biosafety locally and internationally on issues like policies, regulations, communication, business, ethics, religion, and education.

She has a doctorate degree (PhD) in Industrial Microbiology. Her Ph.D research focused on the development of indigenous ethanol tolerant yeast, for the industrial production of Bioethanol but presently involved in a research work on Herbicide Tolerant (Round-up- Ready) Soybeans in collaboration with the Michigan State University as an Assistant lead Scientist. The aim of the project is to screen and backcross the HT genes into Nigerian leading commercial varieties of soybeans to reduce the drudgery of soybeans cultivation faced by farmers in Nigeria. This will promote the use of Soy in the country. My Food Science and technology background gives me the ability to lead in the food and feed safety assessment component of the project.

Rose has also published extensively, authored, co-authored, edited, and co-edited various chapters in books, books, papers in journals, policy briefs, Newsletters, and scientific articles in reputable journals at the National and International levels. Some highlights of the repertoire of her publications include: “2009 & 2010 Reports of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), ISBN 978-923-467-7”; “2011 Reports of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), ISBN: 978-978-931-851-3”; Contributor: “Biofuels Training Manual Publication of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)”; Biotechnology in Africa, Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.; “Sustainable Utilization of Energy for Wealth Creation and Development: The Nigerian Scenario” (ISBN 978-81-837) and, “The Isolation and Characterization of Ethanol Tolerant Yeast for Industrial Production of Bioethanol”, PhD. Thesis. Rose was also involved in the review of Draft Nigerian National Biosafety Regulations, National Biosafety Containment Guidelines, National Biosafety Communication Strategy, and the last edition of the Nigeria Biosafety Guidelines

She is a recipient of several awards among which are:

Award in appreciation of dedicated service to the OFAB Nigeria Planning Committee from OFAB Africa (2009-2012).

Award of Excellence from Biotechnology Students Society of Nigeria in recognition of role-played in Awareness creation.

Award of Excellence on the Role-played by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa in the Passage and Assent of the Biosafety Bill and the Establishment of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
Director- General’s Merit Award, 2016 to Dr. Rose Suniso Maxwell Gidado
Achievers Award of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) 2017.
Nigerian Agricultural Award (NAA) Excellence Award, 2020.
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development AWARD Mentor 2010-2012.
Nigerian Agricultural Award (NAA), Achiever of the Year (2020)
Champions Award by the National Biosafety Management Agency (2016)
Director General’s Merit Award 2016
Achievers Award of the Biotechnology Society of N African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Award in recognition of dedication and commitment to excellence in mentoring (2011-2012).
Award of Excellence (July 2015) in recognition of your immense contribution towards the passage of the national Biosafety Bill in Nigeria.
Achievers Award of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) 2017.
Nigerian Agricultural Award (NAA) Excellence Award, 2020.
Leadership Recognition Award for Outstanding Service, Established Record of Administrative Efficiency, Innovative Program, Humanitarian Service, Quality and Focused Leadership by the Arewa Youth Peace Initiative (AYPI) on the 16th of May 2022.
Achievers Award at the First Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) National Symposium, Abuja Nigeria 2021.
Leadership Award of Excellence in Nation Building and Food Security using modern Biotechnology Tools in Agriculture, Green Land News and Magazine Annual Lecture and Award, 30th October 2021

Furthermore, she has played very active role in the review and validation of national Biosafety guidelines and regulations among which is genome editing.

Dr. Gidado has also facilitated and mobilized funds for Biotechnology and Biosafety awareness creation from both national and international Donor Organizations to this date. she recognizes and understands the role of science and technology for human advancement by improving human health, nutrition, and economic growth, particularly the potential impacts of biotechnology on agriculture in Nigeria. Therefore, she is passionate about making Nigeria and Africa more food and nutrition secure, as well as promoting public understanding of science and modern biotechnology. Her mission through the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), Nigeria, is to drive advocacy campaigns, enhance knowledge sharing on agricultural biotechnology and dispel misconceptions within the realms of genetic modification technology. She intends to promote inclusive communication strategies between all stakeholders in the industry, for policy makers to make informed decisions towards ensuring a food secured Nigeria in the face of frightening global food insecurity. Dr Gidado is married Prof Maxwell Michael Gidado, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with a daughter Barrister Fatima Su’ugari Gidado and has travelled widely.