By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish the Nigeria Genomic City, a major national initiative aimed at positioning the country as a regional leader in genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine while driving scientific innovation, healthcare advancement and economic growth.
The project, which will be hosted by the University of Abuja, is expected to serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, technological innovation and the commercialisation of scientific discoveries, with support from key government agencies and private sector partners.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a knowledge-based economy driven by research, innovation and technology.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the minister warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population could become a liability if the country fails to invest strategically in science and innovation.
“The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity for us if we fail to act. We do not have a choice,” the Minister declared.”
According to Alausa, the Nigeria Genomic City was conceived over 20 months ago as a collaborative national project involving multiple ministries and agencies because of its strategic importance to the country’s future.
He explained that although the concept originated while he served as Minister of State for Health, he deliberately resisted placing it under a single ministry, insisting it should remain a national initiative designed to benefit generations of Nigerians.
Alausa noted that while developed countries have built multi-trillion-dollar industries around biotechnology and genomics, Nigeria has yet to fully harness its rich genetic resources. He cautioned that unequal global data-sharing arrangements have allowed African genomic data to generate significant value abroad without corresponding benefits for the continent.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to protect its genomic resources, strengthen data sovereignty and pursue international partnerships that deliver mutual benefits.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising plans to establish the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, expected to generate nearly 500 million dollars annually to finance research and innovation nationwide.
He expressed optimism that the proposed legislation would receive the approval of the Federal Executive Council, the National Assembly and presidential assent, providing sustainable funding for scientific research.
Under the initiative, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners will provide technology and innovation support, while the Federal Ministry of Education will coordinate implementation and resource mobilisation.
On her part, Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the Nigeria Genomic City as an opportunity for the country to become a global player in scientific innovation rather than remain a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
She said Nigeria’s large population, expanding research ecosystem and growing pool of skilled professionals provide a strong foundation for the success of the initiative and pledged the ministry’s commitment to building the partnerships needed to deliver the project.
Presenting the technical framework, the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Professor Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, said the Nigeria Genomic City would establish a national platform built on genomic, biological and health data to support the discovery, development and commercialisation of solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
He added that the project would also enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and promote economic development through biotechnology.
According to Owolabi, Nigeria’s rich genetic diversity places it in a strategic position to emerge as a global centre for genomics and precision medicine, while the initiative would protect the country’s genomic resources through strong data sovereignty and intellectual property safeguards.
He further said the project would leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, to build a world-class scientific workforce, attract investment, strengthen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position the country as an exporter of biotechnology innovations.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Alausa assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Education would provide the leadership and coordination required to deliver the project, expressing confidence that collaboration among government institutions, academia, industry and development partners would unlock Nigeria’s scientific potential and enhance its global competitiveness.
