Prof. Bamidele Solomon speaks on the potentials of Biotechnology and the journey so far ;
How did the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) come about anfd for how long has it existed?


The National Biotechnology Development Agency development Agency developed from the department of Agric and Natural Sciences and Technology in 2001, the same year the National Biotechnology policy was promulgated into law by the federal government. The Agency has therefore existed now for about eleven years.

Could you explain a little more about NABDA's operation and functions?

NABDA was given the mandate to promote biotechnology activities that positively respond to national aspiration on food security , job/wealth creation, affordable healthcare delivery and sustainable environment. Our headquarters is based in
Abuja, and we have six zonal offices in the geo-political zones of thr country strategically situated n the oldest universities in the zones.
For example the South - East Zonal Biotech Centre at University of Nigeria,Nsukka (SEZBC), South - South Zonal Biotech Centre at University of Port Harcourt (SSZBC), South - West zonal Biotech Centre at University of Ibadan (SWZBC), North - East Zonal Biotech Centre at University of Maiduguri (NEZBC), North - West Zonal Biotech Centre at Ahmadu Bello University (NWZBC), North - Central Zonal Biotech Centre at the University of Jos (NCZBC).
There is also the Bio-resources Development Centre (BioDec) at Odi, Bayelsa state where most of our activities are demonstrated , the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NACGRAB)located in Moor plantation, Ibadan was merged with NABDA.

How do we use biotechnology to produce plants that resist pests and diseases?

The use of biotechnology to produce plants that resist pests and diseases is a very topical issue, and that involves generally either conventional breeding techniques or the cutting-edge technology using component DNA technology called genetic engineering. That is, the genetic modification of such plant such that they become resistant to a particular disease or pest. We have being currently working on one . The Agency with IITA under the sponsorship of USAID, is working on producing a Cassava Strain which is resistant to the African Cassava Mosaic Virus.
Recently, NABDA in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and the Institute for Agriculture Research (IAR) organized a 3-day Cowpea Project Review Meeting in Abuja which brought together a pool of scientists, experts, technocrats, and policy makers from and within and outside Africa to review and plan strategy to bring about permanent solution to the Maruca vitrata pest attack on the African Cowpea and also enhance productivity of our resource-poor small holder farmers.

What is the greatest challenge you face?

The greatest challenge faced in this job is enormity of what has to be done. Nigeria is a land of great mass and requirement and you have so many things to deliver to our people who are eager to develop. The major short coming to achieving our set of goals is the limitation of funding.If we are able to have adequate funds, of course , biotechnology
will be at the doorstep to every Nigerian.

How is NABDA funded and what are the adequate funding needs of the the Agency?
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The National Biotechnology Development Agency is funded majorly from the Federal Government Allocation. At Inception, the then Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo promisedd to fund the Agency to the tune of N3.5 billion yearly for four
consecutive years. Unfortunately that level of funding did not materialize , it fell far below it , If t hat initial funding was obtained , the necessary infrasture would have put in place in our various institutions of higher learning, where we are suppose to conduct R & D; and have laboratories in every zone of the country.

What's your message to prospective investors?

NABDA has a lot to offer on biotechnology to all starta of the society, There are various investment opportunities wherein interested investors can partner with us. We have technologies that small cottage industries can adopt and with our linkage with organizations like the International Centre for Genectic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) , large scale investors can establish very sophisticated biotechnology industries in the country to produce a wide range of drugs such as Erythropoietin which can be used in the treatment of cancer and even HIV. There are all within capability. We can act as consultants and we can also facilitate