Recent Events
SPOTLIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF NABDA ACT 2022 TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Director General/CEO of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has urged farmers to use modern biotechnology to tackle challenges of low soil fertility, changing climate conditions and high pressure of insects, pests and diseases towards ensuring food security.
The sensitisation workshop with the theme, Community Empowerment through Agricultural Biotechnology: The Role of Council Chairmen, Clerics, Monarchs, Extension Agents and Farmers, aimed at supporting government efforts in addressing the challenges of food security.
The theme, according to the DG is apt, given the key roles participants at the workshop can play in awareness creation and promotion of modern biotechnology at the grassroots level.
USDA FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE COUNSELLOR PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO NABDA
DG/CEO NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and his management team received the Counsellor, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Lagos, Dr. Chris Bielecki and his team to NABDA on Tuesday, 19th September, 2023.
NBTI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH NABDA TO COMMERCIALISE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND HARNESS INDIGENOUS TALENTS

THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, NABDA, CONGRATULATE OUR DIRECTOR GENERAL/CEO, PROF. ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN BEING CONFERRED WITH THE NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY ORDER OF MERIT (NPOM) AWARD.
NABDA STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION WITH AATF, ARCN TO TACKLE FOOD INSECURITY AND ADVANCE BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA
NABDA’s DIRECTOR GENERAL/CEO, PROF. ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA, REPRESENTING NIGERIA AT THE 29th SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, (ICGEB) BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETINGS IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.
Nigeria has been a Member State of the ICGEB since 13th March, 1991, and Prof. Mustapha is the ICGEB appointed Governor and Liaison Officer for Nigeria.
NABDA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NNPC, RAHAD ON BIOTECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
NABDA STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION WITH JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (JICA) ON CAPACITY BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
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.
NABDA PRESENTS ACT TO THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that biotechnology is the driver for the socio-economic development of the nation.
Dr. Onu said this while receiving the Chairman, NABDA Governing Board, HE Clement Ebri and the Director General/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha in his office on Thursday 21st April, 2022.
He added that the ministry serves as a link to others in achieving President Mohammadu Buhari’s agenda for the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, NABDA Governing Board, HE, Clement Ebri said the visit was to officially present the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Establishment Act, 2022 recently signed by President Mohammadu Buhari and express the agency’s appreciation to President Mohammadu Buhari through the Honourable Minister.
He further acknowledged the remarkable success recorded by the agency through support from the ministry since inception.
The Minister thanked the Board Chair for his interest and commitment, and the DG for his contributions to ensuring the signing of the NABDA Establishment Act.
He added that with the availability of the Act, the agency can promote, coordinate and deploy cutting-edge biotechnology research and development activities in Nigeria.
NABDA INTENSIFIES CAMPAIGN FOR RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION VIA BIOTECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has intensified its campaign for the rapid industrialisation of Nigeria by exploring and harnessing the potentials of biotechnology for national development.
He asserted that theworkshop aims to intensify NABDA’s campaign for an industrialised nation through biotechnology adoption and has the objective to strengthen the communication capacity of key influencers and stakeholders of the technology.
Ha added that the workshop is very critical to the attainment of NABDA’s mandate, given the recent developments involving the agency.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed the NABDA Establishment Bill 2022 into law. The Act – gazette (No. 69 Vol. 109) – expanded NABDA’s scope of activities and fully recognises the agency as a research institute with the mandate to create awareness, coordinate, facilitate, deploy, domesticate and carry out research in all the areas of biotechnology for the development of the nation.
“Today’s workshop will empower and update you with recent developments in the agricultural biotechnology and biosafety regulation sectors and the country at large. We expect that as major stakeholders in this sector now, you will join us in the campaign for the enhancement of food security, climate change mitigation, nutritional enhancement, flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty eradication, wealth creation and overall growth of our country Nigeria. Nigeria being the giant of Africa, if Nigeria gets it right, the whole Africa will get it right,” he added.
In his keynote address, the director-general of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, stressed that biotechnology powers green, blue, red, gold, white and yellow economies, and can help Nigeria achieve sustainable national development.
He noted that biotechnology can be deployed to tackle issues of climate change, enhance food security, boost industrial processes, useful in the energy sector, healthcare diagnostics, amongst others,
According to him, biotechnology provides an excellent opportunity to build a sustainable economy, the research agencies can provide this leap via quality research that will lead to good economic policies, and their board will help promote these good economic policies developed by the research institutes.
In his presentation, the director, Next Generation Cassava Breeding Project, IITA, Ibadan, Kubwa Station, Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, identified the application of genetic modification technology as one of the multi-combinatorial approaches with the potential of curbing the multi-dimensional problems of food and nutrition insecurity.
He posited that the application of genetic engineering (GE) has the potential to revolutionize food production, adding, however, that unnecessary fears and concerns fuelled by false information and myths are limiting the application, majorly in regions that need it the most, including Nigeria.
Egesi highlighted possible benefits of genetic engineering to include more nutritious and tastier food, disease and drought-resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources (such as water and fertiliser), less use of pesticides, increased supply of food with reduced cost and longer shelf life and faster-growing plants and animals.
The director noted that Nigeria is already leading Africa to food security (and hopefully including nutrition security) with the commercialisation of two GM Crops – the PBR Cowpea and Bt Cotton. He said with the development of the genetically improved bio-fortified cassava, Nigeria would finally by accelerating the continent’s exit from hidden hunger and other forms of malnutrition.
NABDA DG TASKS STAFF ON SELF-DEVELOPMENT FOR WORKPLACE EFFICIENCY
NABDA TRAINS STAFF ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES: qPCR INSTALLATION AND APPLICATION
NABDA TO COLLABORATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE ON BIO-VACCINE AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCHES
DG/CEO NABDA, PROF. ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA ON TVC BUSINESS NIGERIA. HE SPOKE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON FOOD SECURITY, AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS.
DG NABDA CONGRATULATES NEW DG FIIRO
The Director General/CEO National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has congratulated Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa over her recent appointment as Director General/CEO of Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO).
Until her appointment, Dr. Adamu Tutuwa was a Research Director heading Bioresources Development Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION’S OVERSIGHT VISIT TO NABDA
The Senate Committee Chairman on Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Uche Ekwunife, has assured NABDA of the committee’s support and collaboration to enhance the agency’s budgetary allocation and ensure an improvement in its funds releases, considering the critical role it plays in engendering economic growth for the nation.
Senator Ekwunife gave this assurance during the committee’s 2022 first quarter oversight visit to NABDA.
“The National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, is the main driver of Biotechnology in Nigeria, capable of bringing a huge development in the Science and Technology sector”, she said
The oversight visit which is In furtherance of the committee’s mandate, aimed at interacting and exchanging ideas with the management of the agency, analysing, evaluating and appreciating the needs of the agency, creating a platform for the agency to discuss its challenges and constraints with the Senate Committee, as well as reviewing NABDA’s current releases on capital and recurrent expenditure.
Senator Ekwunife urged the agency to prioritise bringing to public view the agency’s research breakthroughs, as this will enlighten the public on the inherent benefits of biotechnology and foster collaboration.
She further advised the agency to strengthen its relationship with the committee and interface with the committee at every stage to put in place mechanisms for tackling identified problems and challenges.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Mustapha thanked the Senate committee for their visit, and commitment to the growth of the agency.
While highlighting the agency’s challenges to the committee, he presented to them the laudable research breakthroughs of the agency.
The Committee, led by its chairman, Senator Uche Ekwunife, was received by the Director General of NABDA, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha and some management staff of the agency.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF NABDA ACT 2022 TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Director General/CEO of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha has urged farmers to use modern biotechnology to tackle challenges of low soil fertility, changing climate conditions and high pressure of insects, pests and diseases towards ensuring food security.
The sensitisation workshop with the theme, Community Empowerment through Agricultural Biotechnology: The Role of Council Chairmen, Clerics, Monarchs, Extension Agents and Farmers, aimed at supporting government efforts in addressing the challenges of food security.
The theme, according to the DG is apt, given the key roles participants at the workshop can play in awareness creation and promotion of modern biotechnology at the grassroots level.
PRESIDENT BUHARI SIGNS NABDA BILL INTO LAW ALONG FIVE OTHERS
President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA Act, 2022 along five others.
Mr. Shehu said the bill was one of six recently signed into law by the president.
A statement signed by Garba Shehu, list the law thus: The National Biotechnology Development Agency Act, 2022.
“This Act provides legal framework for the National Biotechnology Development Agency to carry out research, create and develop public awareness in biotechnology in order to encourage private sector participation in biotechnology industry in Nigeria.”
Other bills signed into law Include Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, 2022, Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, Federal Medical Centre, Hong (Establishment) Act, 2022 and the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021.
Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), was at the State House for the signing of the bills, the statement said.
GHANA COMMENDS NIGERIA’S SUCCESS STORY IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA, Prof. AbdullahiMustapha received a high leveled delegation of biotechnology and biosafety team members on a fact finding tour from Ghana to Nigeria on Monday. In his welcome remarks, the Director General gave an overview and mandate and success of the Agency since inception. The DG spoke immensely on the role of biotechnology to national and economicdevelopment of any nation. He said agricultural biotechnology could be harnessed to help feed the nation. “We must all be on our feet to see that we feed our nation and biotechnology is the answer to feeding ourselves on this continent of Africa, ‘’ he said. The Chairman, Parliamentary Select Committee on Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) Ghana, DrEmmanuel Marfo, who led the Ghana delegation to Nigeria, said they were happy being among people doing a good job of trying to feed the nation. Dr Marfo, noted that the visit would help to broaden their scope in biotechnology. He said the visit would help in the right oversight and to further understand scientists that appear before the parliament. The parliamentarian also said the meeting had also enabled him to understand the activities of science and also speak for science, as well as represent effectively. “Parliamentarians who do oversight must be conversant with the sector,’’Marfo said. Similarly, Prof Charles Antwi-Boasiako, Chairman of the National Biosafety Authority(NBA) of Ghana, also commended the great strides of the National Biosafety Management Agency of Nigeria (NBMA). According to him, the biosafety frame work of Ghana and its applicability while stressing on the need for public enlightenment for accurate knowledge. Earlier, Dr Francis Onyekachi, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Representative in West Africa, said that biotechnology infrastructure was properly developed in Nigeria. He hinted that Nigeria was also foremost in biosafety regulations, in addition to biotech cowpea and cotton which had been released for commercialisation and that biotech maize was coming next. Onyekachi noted that Nigeria’s biosafety agency coordinated all risk assessments, adding that policies and regulatory systems were well developed instruments of commercialisation put in place. He added that the biotech cowpea and cotton were presently in the hands of Nigerian farmers. Also Dr Rose Gidado, Deputy Director and Country Coordinator, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, Nigeria (OFAB), said Nigeria’s story on biotechnology and biosafety space was full of successes. She said that though there were challenges but the country had always overcome these challenges to come out better adding said the delegation found the need to inquire how Nigeria made it to this level and came for exchange of ideas, knowledge and information in order to build on the strengths.
DG/CEO NABDA, PROF. ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA AT THE INAUGURATION OF INTER-MINISTERIAL STEERING COMMITTEE AND TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON LOCAL VACCINE MANUFACTURING.
As part of efforts to build capacity for sustainable local vaccine manufacturing, the Nigerian Government increased its advocacy and request to international partners and donor agencies to support the country.
In view of this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Nigeria among the six countries to be supported with the mRA technology transfer for vaccine development and manufacturing. However, Nigeria must provide an enabling environment for the technical knowledge transfer.

In view of this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Nigeria among the six countries to be supported with the mRA technology transfer for vaccine development and manufacturing. However, Nigeria must provide an enabling environment for the technical knowledge transfer.
One of the strategies to achieve this goal is the constitution and inauguration of Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and the Technical Working Group on local vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire formally inaugurated the
Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and Technical Working Group today, Monday, 6th of June, 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The National Biotechnology Development Agency is a member of the Technical Working Group.
Present at the inauguration were the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora,
Representative of the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Environment, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Heads of Parastatals and Directors from Ministries and parastatals.
COURTESY VISIT BY THE NATIONAL COTTON ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (NACOTAN) TO THE DG/CEO NABDA, PROF ABDULLAHI MUSTAPHA
The National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), led by its President, Mr Anibe Achimugu, visited the DG/CEO National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha in his office on Tuesday, 12th April, 2022.
The visit was to congratulate the DG on his giant strides in biotechnology and contributions to the socio-economic development of the nation.
He noted that the Agency has been highly rated nationwide for its support to local farmers and added that with the availability of good seeds, good yield and bumper harvest are guaranteed.
The NACOTAN President also solicited for more support and collaboration from the Agency.
The DG thanked the association and assured them of the Agency’s continuous support and collaboration
BIOTECHNOLOGY, AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR NATIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Director General/CEO, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has described Biotechnology as an Innovative Tool for National Economic Growth.
He said this during the NABDA day session at the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Expo 2022.
Given the innovative significance of Biotechnology, Prof. Abdullahi said Nigeria can end its reliance on importation of bioethanol with local production.
He said Bioethanol is ethanol that is made from agricultural products, and used as fuel supplement.
“NABDA brought to the expo ground microorganisms such as yeast, that have been successfully isolated and have economic value. This yeast is very indigenous with thermal resistance and can be used in the fermentation process to produce bioethanol”, Prof. Mustapha noted.
“This is a great achievement considering how much is spent to import bioethanol into the country; there is no need to spend money on the importation of microorganisms”.
“The substrate used for the production of bioethanol is cassava and sugarcane, and all these are abundant in the country.
“Nigeria can produce thousands or millions of litres of bioethanol per day day with this yeast that we have produced”, the DG added.
Speaking on the agency’s bio-fertiliser and insect repellant spray, Prof. Mustapha said the biofertiliser was unique and high yielding, while the chemical contained in the repellant was organic and harmless.
The DG further said the grass NABDA is producing for animal feed could be used for the national livestock transformation programme, and that the insect resistant maize project, together with the genetically modified cowpea and cotton, were mitigating food and employment crisis in the country.
According to him, the agency in its quest to achieve its set goals, is collaborating with both the private and public sectors.
His Excellency, Dr Clement Ebri, the Chairman, NABDA Board, who chaired the NABDA Day session at the Expo, described Prof. Mustapha’s presentation on `Biotechnology as an Innovative Tool for National Economic Growth”, as very brilliant.
He said the STI Expo will ignite economic and social prosperity of Nigerians.
“We are bringing in the SMEs because we really need to have a trickledown effect to ensure that this whole biotechnology idea cuts across the whole country.
“It is really a grassroot thing because if everyone starts doing it from the base, before long, it will become more of a normal for our country.
“With that, the growth will spread to all nooks and crannies,’’ Chief Ebri said.
The Science Technology and Innovation EXPO 2022 organised by the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation started on Monday, March 14 and ended Friday, March 18, 2022.
The 2022 theme is Sustaining National Economic Growth Through Science, Technology and Innovation.
NABDA HOLDS BIOETHICS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
The DG/CEO NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha recently declared open a Bioethics Educational Programme organised by the Bioethics Unit, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).
This is the first phase of the Educational Programme aimed at educating the populace on the significance of Bioethics; giving participants the basic knowledge of Bioethics and core principles of Bioethics.
In his welcome address, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, noted that the Bioethics educational programme will provide a foundation for humanity response to the ever increasing dilemmas and controversies that science and technology present for mankind and environment.
He also disclosed that the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has signed the National Bioethics Federal Executive Council Memo for onward conveyance of the National Bioethics documents to the Federal Executive Council for Mr. President’s approval.
According to the DG, Nigeria is a signatory to the 2005 UNESCO Declaration on Bioethics and Human rights.
“As a signatory to the declaration, Nigeria is expected to develop the National Bioethics Framework and Policy Documents that will lead to the establishment of a functional national bioethics committee.
“Article 23 of the Declaration affirms that member states should endeavour to foster bioethics education and training at all levels as well as encourage information and knowledge dissemination programme about bioethics,’’ he said.
The Director General hinted that the process of establishing the National Bioethics Committee began in 2009 with UNESCO organising the first national bioethics stakeholders meeting while the second was also organised by UNESCO in 2017 and NABDA in collaboration with the National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) organised the third in 2019.
He however pointed out that the three meetings were all feared towards drafting the National Bioethics Framework and Policy Documents which were vital documents required for the establishment of a National Bioethics Committee.
“The National Bioethics Documents are to serve as guide for the establishment and proper functioning of the National Bioethics Committee’’
He stressed that there were numerous advantages to be drawn from the establishment of the committee.
Dr Chitu Princewill, Deputy Director and Head, Bioethics unit, said three major components were required for the establishment of National Bioethics Committee in Nigeria.
“First is the development of a national bioethics framework and policy documents, second is the bioethics educational programme and the third is inauguration of the members.
Resource persons at the opening ceremony include the first Bioethicist in Nigeria, Prof. Peter Omonzejele from University of Benin, Edo State, Prof. Adefolarin Malomo, Neurosurgeon at the University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Omokhoa Adeleye, Public health and Community Medicine, University of Benin, Edo State, Prof. Ayodele Jegede, Medical Sociology/Anthropology and Bioethics and Dr. Chitu PrincewiIl, Deputy Director and Head of the Bioethics, NABDA.
Participants were drawn from Head of Service, Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation, Health, NATCOM-UNESCO, SHETSCO and NABDA.
NABDA GOVERNING BOARD TOURS FACILITIES
The Director General/CEO, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha led the agency’s Governing board on a facility tour on Monday, 28th March, 2022.
The facility tour was aimed at intimating the board on the ongoing research activities, projects and breakthroughs in the agency.
At the department of Environmental Biotechnology and Bioconservation, the Director, Dr. Gloria Obioh-Bassey highlighted the mandates of the department to the board, noting that the department was created to use biotechnology responsibly to enhance the quality of life without overstepping the capacity of environmental support systems. While showing the biodigester models designed and fabricated by the department to the board members, she underscored its importance and functions. She added that the project has attracted the attention of different stakeholders, among who is the Rural Electrification Agency, already collaborating with NABDA for promotion electrification in the rural communities.
At the Medical department of the the Director, Dr. Barth Ibeh showed the board members the infectious disease unit, and vaccine development and forensic analysis laboratories.
Similarly, the Director, Agricultural department, Dr Nasiru Ibrahim, shared insights on the Herbicide Tolerant soybean produced to ensure optimum yields for commercialisation, increased food production and security in the country.
The Chairman, NABDA governing board, HE Chief Clement Ebri commended the Director General for his commitment towards making biotechnology an engine of growth for the socio-economic development of the nation. He however, advised the agency to intensify its efforts on publicity and showcase the agency’s research breakthroughs to the public. He said there was no better time than now, for the public to be informed and educated on the significant role of biotechnology to national development.
Some students on Industrial Attachment at the National Biotechnology Development Agency also shared their experiences with the Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and NABDA’s governing board.
Yahaya Jibrin Audu, a student of Bauchi State University, Gadau said he has learnt different germination modes for Herbicide Tolerant soybean from local variety.
Chigozie Ozor, from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, also said her knowledge of tissue culture has greatly increased.
She noted that the Industrial attachment has exposed her to a lot of scientific techniques on tissue culture preparation of different germination media for sesame seed, tomatoes, extraction of DNA from paw-paw.
GHANA COMMENDS NIGERIA’S SUCCESS STORY IN AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA, Prof. AbdullahiMustapha received a high leveled delegation of biotechnology and biosafety team members on a fact finding tour from Ghana to Nigeria on Monday.
THE GOVERNOR OF KANO STATE VISITS NABDA
The Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, OFR, and the Permanent.Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology who doubles as the Chairman of NABDA’s Governing Board, Mr. Sunday Edet Akpan, were received by the DG/CEO, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and his management team to the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) today, Thursday 28th. January, 2021
NABDA GETS NEW GOVERNING BOARD
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The Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, today, 14th October, 2021 inaugurated 12 Governing Boards and Council of Agencies and Institutes under the supervision of the Ministry.
Dr. Onu tasked the Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards and Council to render selfless service for the good of all Nigerians. He also urged them to familiarise themselves with the relevant instruments governing the operation and supervision of their respective Agencies and Institutes.
The new Governing Board are His Excellency, Clement Ebri, Chairman, South South; Alhaji Baba Shehu Zanna Arjinoma Member, North East; Alhaji Mustapha Isyaku, Member North West; Dr. Yusuf Musa (CON) Member, North Central; Barr. (Mrs) Grace Obeke Member, South East; Chief Livinus Opuakpa Member, South South; Prince Adeola Babs-Ogunleye Member, South West.
Others are representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) and the Director General, NABDA Prof Abdullahi Mustapha is the Secretary of the Board.
Hearty Congratulations to our distinguished Board members.
The management and staff of NABDA wish you a successful and fruitful tenure
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ICGEB Meetings and Courses 2022 : Call for Proposals
ICGEB provides support for the organisation of scientific events in the Life Sciences in ICGEB Member States. Funding is available for Meetings, to be held in the three ICGEB Components (Trieste, Italy; NewDelhi, India, Cape Town, South Africa); Workshops, co-sponsored by local organising institutes; Courses, providing theoretical and/or practical training. The “Future of Science” programme supports scientific events on currently hot scientific topics, with open communication to media and public; Seeds for Science, supports small meetings aimed at building networks for future research collaborations; Sponsorship is also provided to scientific events relevant to the ICGEB mandate in the ICGEB Member States.
Closing date for applications: 28 February 2021
Scientific institutions located in ICGEB Member States are encouraged to apply.
for more info: https://www.icgeb.org/activities/meeting-and-courses/
”ICGEB Course on “Basic laboratory training on GMO analysis”
ICGEB Course on “Basic laboratory training on GMO analysis” 15 — 21 September, Abuja, Nigeria
Organizer: Shakirat 0. Ajenifujah-Solebo (Agricultural Biotechnology Department, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria)
Request for information directly to: nabdatraining@gmail.com.
Deadline for the receipt of applications by local organizers: 30 May 2019 Call for applications will open on 1 March 2019.
ICGEB —NABDA training link: https://www.icgeb.org/courses/course-basic-laboratory-training-on-gmo-analysis/