The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City, a major national initiative aimed at positioning the country as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine, while strengthening healthcare, food security, scientific research and economic development.
The Special Adviser, (Media and Communications) to the Honourable Minister of Education, Ikharo Attah revealed this in a Statement in Abuja.
The project, according to the Statement, was unveiled at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s transition from a resource-dependent economy to one driven by knowledge, research, technology and innovation.
Alausa warned that Nigeria’s growing population could become a liability if the country fails to invest 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 said.
He explained that the Nigeria Genomic City was conceived more than 20 months ago as a multi-agency and multi-ministerial project because of its national significance. According to him, although the idea originated while he was Minister of State for Health and continued after his appointment as Minister of Education, he resisted efforts to place the project under a single ministry, insisting that it should remain a national initiative.
The minister said the project is designed to establish Nigeria as a global centre for genomics and biotechnology while creating long-term scientific and economic opportunities for future generations.
He noted that despite possessing one of the world’s richest genomic resources, Nigeria has yet to fully harness its potential, warning that unequal international data-sharing arrangements have allowed African genomic data to create enormous value overseas with limited returns for the continent.
To support research and innovation, Alausa disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising plans for the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, expected to mobilise nearly 500 million dollars annually. He expressed optimism that the enabling legislation would receive approval from the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly before being signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also announced that the University of Abuja would host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners would provide technological and innovation support. The Federal Ministry of Education, he said, will coordinate implementation and mobilise resources for the project.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the initiative as an opportunity for Nigeria to become a global leader in scientific innovation.
She said the country’s large population, expanding research ecosystem and growing pool of skilled professionals provide a strong foundation for the project’s success, assuring stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to securing the partnerships needed for implementation.
Presenting the project’s technical framework, Prof. Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan and initiator of the Nigeria Genomic City, described the initiative as a transformative investment that would reshape healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology and economic development.
According to him, the project will establish a national platform built on genomic, biological and health data to drive discoveries, develop innovative treatments and improve disease prevention, diagnosis and care.
He added that the initiative would also enhance crop and livestock production, strengthen food security, protect Nigeria’s genomic resources through data sovereignty and intellectual property safeguards, and integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.
Owolabi said the project would develop a globally competitive scientific workforce, attract investment, encourage collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position the country as an exporter of biotechnology innovations and scientific discoveries.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, Alausa said the Ministry of Education would continue to provide leadership and coordination for the initiative, expressing confidence that collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners and the private sector would unlock Nigeria’s scientific potential and enhance its global competitiveness.
