By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging biotechnology innovations to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, enhance food security, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Speaking at a public forum in Abuja on Monday, the government announced plans to build public trust in biotechnology as a critical tool to address the nation’s agricultural challenges.
Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), emphasized the transformative potential of agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria.
Represented by Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department at NBRDA, Mustapha stated that biotechnology offers practical solutions to critical agricultural issues such as pest infestations, crop diseases, and the impacts of climate change.
He highlighted the potential of science and technology to enhance crop resilience, improve pest control measures, combat disease resistance, and increase the nutritional value of produce, all while supporting environmentally sustainable practices.
The forum, organized by NBRDA in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), brought together key stakeholders in agricultural innovation.
Emmanuel Okogbenin, Director of Product Development and Commercialisation at AATF, said biotechnology, when responsibly developed and implemented, can significantly contribute to food security.
Represented by Yarama Ndirpaya, AATF Tela Programme Manager and Out-grower Strategy Lead in Nigeria, Okogbenin acknowledged the progress made by Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana in commercializing biotech crops such as Bt Cotton, Bt Maize, and Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea.
According to Okogbenin, these advancements are not merely scientific achievements but represent tangible opportunities to uplift farming communities and strengthen national food systems.
However, he acknowledged that regulatory uncertainties, misinformation, and public scepticism remain significant barriers to the broader adoption of biotech innovations.
He emphasized the importance of platforms like the forum to facilitate evidence-based dialogue, foster public understanding, and encourage collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Patricia Lar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, also addressed the forum, highlighting the pressing challenges facing Nigerian agriculture.
She cited climate change, pest outbreaks, and soil degradation as key threats to the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across the country.
Despite these challenges, Lar expressed hope that agricultural biotechnology could play a critical role in mitigating food insecurity and improving productivity.
She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts and innovation in overcoming these barriers and expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s agricultural sector with the adoption of advanced biotechnological tools.
The forum participants shared commitment to support the responsible development and deployment of agricultural biotechnology, aiming to ensure a food-secure future for Nigeria.