National Biotechnology Development Agency

NABDA - (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology) The Agency was established through Federal Executive Council approval on the 23rd of April, 2001 with the following vision, mission and mandates:

VISION: To employ biotechnology for economic development and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

MISSION: To promote biotechnological activities that would positively meet national aspiration such as food security, job/wealth creation, affordable health care delivery and sustainable economic environment.

MANDATES: NABDA has the mandate to coordinate, promote and regulate the development of biotechnology in the country. Specifically, the Agency is to, among other things:

• Develop an indigenous critical mass of human resources and infrastructure for biotechnology in Nigeria.
• Develop sustainable exploitation of bioresources for our food & Agriculture.
• Develop mechanism for adequate funding of biotechnology activities through national and international funding Agencies.
• Promote indigenous competence in the development and application of biotechnology-based products and services.
• Develop framework for ethical and profitable uses of biotechnology-based products and services.
• Develop viable and commercial biotechnology and technologies through strategic investments in biotechnology R & D to support innovation and economic development..
• Promote national and international collaboration between government/agencies and all other stakeholders and interestgroups on matters relating to the development of biotechnology.

Scientists work on HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, and HEPATITIS-B Diagnostic Kits

• Develop mechanisms and activities to support the emergence of biotechnology enterprises for the commercialization of biotechnology products.
• Develop appropriate legislations, compatible with international regulations, to promote biosafety, social and ethical use of biotechnology and to protect intellectual property, industrial property and farmers’ rights.

MAJOR PROGRAMMES/ACTIVITIES OF NABDA AND ACHIEVEMENTS