During a recent inaugural lecture at the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Emmanuel Ekundayo, a distinguished specialist in Medical Microbiology and Microbial Genetics, issued a compelling mandate to the Nigerian government: cease rhetorical support for biotechnology and immediately commit to substantial, strategic investment to fully harness the nation’s bio-resources and build a thriving national bio-economy.
In his address, titled “Biotechnology: The Science, the Products and the Business; Harnessing Indigenous Bio-Resources for National Bioeconomy,” Professor Ekundayo challenged the nation’s scientific community to transition from purely academic instruction to the practical application and commercialization of biotechnological principles.
The Current Obstacles to Advancement
The Professor emphasized that despite having immense potential, Nigeria and the African continent are currently failing to realize the full benefits of biotechnology due to several systemic challenges:
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Infrastructural Deficiencies: A lack of necessary advanced facilities for molecular biology and bioinformatics research.
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Funding Disconnect: Limited financial backing and weak translational linkages between academic research, industry, and commercial markets.
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Human Capital Flight: Significant emigration of highly skilled professionals and insufficient local talent development.
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Regulatory Hurdles: Weak policy frameworks and low public awareness inhibiting the adoption of biotechnological products.
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External Dependence: Reliance on the costly importation of essential reagents, equipment, and core technologies.
Seizing the Bio-Economic Opportunity
Ekundayo argued that biotechnology presents a critical pathway for economic diversification and sustainable development for Nigeria. The combination of rich biodiversity, a rapidly growing youth population, and soaring demand for advanced healthcare and food systems positions the continent perfectly to build robust, bio-based industries that create domestic jobs and sharply reduce import dependency.
Key commercial opportunities lie in:
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Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing: Developing local capacity for drug and vaccine production.
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Agricultural Biotechnology: Implementing climate-smart farming solutions to enhance food security.
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Bio-based Enterprises: Converting indigenous biomass into value-added products like specialty chemicals, fuels, and fertilizers.
The Professor stressed that biotechnology is the vital link between laboratory innovation and societal impact—it is about creating economic value, entire new industries, and sustainable job creation. For Nigeria to catch up with the global knowledge economy, it must embed biotechnology strategically into its national development framework.
Strategic Actions for Transformation
To successfully translate its biodiversity into economic solutions, Professor Ekundayo outlined five critical policy actions Africa must prioritize:
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Fund Homegrown Innovation: Governments and the private sector must allocate capital to locally focused, priority-driven research.
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Develop Biotech Leaders: Strengthening tertiary education, global exposure, and research mentorship programs.
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Promote Collaboration: Utilizing regional bodies (like AUDA-NEPAD and the African CDC) to build cross-border platforms for knowledge sharing.
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Protect Resources and IP: Implementing protocols, such as the Nagoya Protocol, to safeguard intellectual property and establish fair benefit-sharing mechanisms.
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Advocacy and Contextualization: Scientists must actively engage policymakers and the public to explain and integrate their work into community solutions.
Professor Ekundayo concluded by urging the university to become a leader in knowledge application, converting lab breakthroughs into tangible benefits for markets and communities. He specifically called upon Federal and State Governments, along with development partners, to provide the necessary support and investment to establish a world-class Institute of Biotechnology at the Federal University Lokoja—a critical hub for nurturing innovation, driving enterprise, and cementing the quest for national bio-economic development.
