RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Preamble
Clearly, research generates technology, and technology creates wealth. Notably, biotechnology is a set of tools or techniques, which should be deployed to produce goods and services for the benefit of mankind. Therefore, for our national biotech development, R & D will be a critical component.
Policy Statement
Strong emphasis will be placed on research and development in priority areas of:

1. Food and Agriculture
2. Health
3. Industry
4. Environment
5. Bioresources Development and
6. Bioinformatics

Objectives
The main objectives are to:

1. Develop a well-focused biotech R & D that will meet the country’s needs for biotech goods and services within 10 years of starting the National Biotech Development Programme.
2. Provide the appropriate enabling environment for development of strong biotech R&D in Nigeria.
3. Ensure that adequate R&D infrastructural facilities and personnel are in place at all times.
4. Make Nigeria a continental leader in biotech development.
5. Ensure development of R&D facilities across the country as to be easily available to researchers.
6. Ensure a strong interaction between the R&D and the other stakeholders in biotech so as to maintain a competitive market-driven R&D for easy adoption of biotech R&D products.

Strategies include:

1. Undertaking a national biotechnology profile needs assessment to determine the priority issues in the agricultural, health-care, industrial, environmental and other strategic sectors.
2. Organizing a national workshop of researchers, policy makers, the industry and other stakeholders to elaborate national priority project in the given sectors.
3. Development of R&D facilities through both strengthening existing and setting up new laboratories in designated centres across the country.
4. For cost effectiveness, strengthening SHESTCO’s Advance Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory to become a centre of excellence available to scientists for high-tech research and development.
5. Installing efficient information and communication gadgets to ensure interactions and networking with researchers within and outside Nigeria.
6. Deploying internet facilities to enable our R&D communities have access, as well as exchange global and local information on their areas of activities for the local and global market demands.

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