By Onche Odeh
Nigeria is set to host the maiden edition of International Conference on Biotechnology (ICOB 2024) next week with a view to using the event to promote the biotechnology potentials of the country.
The five-day conference, which is being organised by Nigeria’s foremost biotechnology agency, the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) opens on Monday 15th to close on Friday, 19th July, 2024 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Centre in Abuja.
Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, while speaking on the event during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja said it would be a confluence of leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and entrepreneurs from around the world who shall discuss and explore the transformative potential of biotechnology in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
Giving further details, Prof. Mustapha said, “The conference is not merely an event, but a platform to revolutionise Nigeria’s economic sector and the entire African continent.”
With a focus on the theme, “Biotechnology as an Engine for Economic Growth,” he said the conference will explore pivotal sectors such as Agriculture for improved crop yields and sustainable food security, Health for better disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention outcomes and Environment with a view to exploring biotechnology solutions for conservation, pollution mitigation, and better response to climate change.
The NBRDA DG also stated that the conference would explore the potentials in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, with the aim of advancing research and applications in gene editing, genomics, and synthetic biology.
He said the conference also provides opportunity for Nigeria to showcase biotechnology innovations in manufacturing, processing, and product development, and to address ethical considerations and responsible practices in biotechnology research and application.
He also disclosed that the conference would be used to examine policies and frameworks for protecting and managing biotechnology intellectual property.
Speaking further on the key objectives of the conference, Prof Mustapha said, “The conference aims to foster collaboration between Nigerian and international scientists, researchers, and industry leaders. By facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise, we hope to stimulate innovative biotechnological solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges and opportunities.”
On agriculture, he said, “One critical area of focus at the conference is agricultural biotechnology. We will explore how genetically modified crops, improved agricultural practices, and biotechnological innovations can enhance food security, increase crop yields, and support sustainable farming in Nigeria.”
On health, the NBRDA DG said, “The conference will explore the role of biotechnology in improving healthcare outcomes. Discussions will cover the development of locally-produced biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostic tools that can address prevalent diseases in Nigeria and improve public health.”
He also said that environmental biotechnology will be another critical area of focus, adding that the meeting will examine how biotechnological solutions can address environmental challenges such as pollution, waste management, and renewable energy production, contributing to a greener and more sustainable economy.
“The conference will highlight the potential of industrial biotechnology to drive economic diversification, create high-quality jobs, and attract foreign investment. We will explore how biotechnological processes can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of industrial production in Nigeria,” he said.
