The Nigerian government, convinced of the fact that biotechnology is a cutting–edge technology that will drive the 21st century’s global food, health, industrial and environmental sectors, took appropriate steps to ensure that Nigeria becomes a key global participant in the biotechnology revolution for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Biotechnology is a package of techniques that employ organisms, or parts of organisms to make or modify products, improve plants and animals, or to develop micro-organisms for specific applications. These techniques usually aim at enhancing production and use of goods and services for the benefit of mankind.
Biotechnology is an old technology that acquired modernity with the initiatory work of Gregor Mendel and subsequently that of James Watson and Francis Crick. It employs molecular biology and genetics to create improved medicines, agricultural and industrial products.
Biotechnology is currently, making much impact in the areas of agriculture, health care, industries and environment. However there are several ethical and social issues of importance to be considered in the national biotechnology development.
Advances in genomics have led to modifications of plants and animals with desirable useful traits for food and industrial applications. Food insecurity caused mainly by growth in human population can be tackled by the application of biotechnology-based revolution in animal husbandry and crop production.
A major step taken in this direction by the Federal Government of Nigeria was the putting in place of a National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) by April, 2001.
In a move towards effective implementation of this policy, the Government took a further step to establish the National Biotechnology Development Agency, charged with the following specific mandates:
Develop an indigenous critical mass of human resources and infrastructure for biotechnology in Nigeria.
Ensure that biotechnology is profitably applied to government’s stewardship such as assurance of high quality health services, food security, environmental protection and safety.
Maintain sustainable exploitation of bioresources for our food & Agriculture, Health Care Delivery and Industrial utilisation.
Ensure sustainable mechanism for adequate funding of biotechnology activities through national and international funding Agencies.
Ensure that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in the development and application of biotechnology-based products and services.
Ensure that Nigerians have access to and benefit from safe, ethical and profitable uses of biotechnology-based products and services.
Promote sustenance in the development and application of acceptable and profitable technologies through strategic investments in biotechnology R & D to support innovation and economic development.
Ensure global competitiveness and the export of products of the Nigerian biotechnology industry.
Establish and maintain profitable national and international collaborative relationship between government and all other stakeholders and interest groups on matters relating to the prospects of the biotechnology industry.Develop suitable mechanisms and activities to support the emergence of biotechnology enterprises for the commercialisation of biotechnology products; so as to ensure a sustainable food security, job and wealth creation, efficient and cheap healthcare delivery as well as a safe environment.
Develop appropriate legislations, compatible with international regulations, so as to ensure biosafety, in line with social and ethical considerations and to protect intellectual property, industrial; property and farmers’ rights.
Evolve a centralised co-ordination of the development biotechnology to ensure unnecessary duplication and wastages as well as attainment objectives.