The Federal Government has announced plans to establish the Nigeria Genomic City, a flagship initiative designed to position the country as a leading centre for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine while accelerating scientific research, healthcare delivery and economic development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled the project during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, describing it as a strategic investment that will help transform Nigeria into a knowledge-driven and innovation-based economy.
According to Alausa, Nigeria must take deliberate steps to invest in science, research and technology or risk losing the benefits of its growing population.
“The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity if we fail to act,” the minister said.
He explained that the Nigeria Genomic City was conceived over 20 months ago as a collaborative national project involving multiple ministries and government agencies because of its strategic importance. Alausa stressed that the initiative is intended to become a long-term national asset rather than a project owned by any single institution.
The minister said the Tinubu administration is committed to shifting Nigeria from a resource-dependent economy to one powered by research, innovation, technology and scientific advancement, with the genomic project serving as one of its flagship programmes.
He noted that although Nigeria possesses one of the world’s richest reservoirs of genetic diversity, the country has yet to fully harness its scientific potential.
According to him, advanced economies have built trillion-dollar biotechnology industries from genomic research, while much of Africa’s genetic resources continue to generate value abroad with limited returns to the continent.
To strengthen scientific development, Alausa disclosed that the Federal Government is also finalising plans for the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, expected to mobilise nearly $500 million annually to support research and innovation across Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that the enabling legislation would receive the necessary approvals before being signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The University of Abuja has been selected to host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners will provide technological and innovation support under the coordination of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the initiative as a significant opportunity to establish Nigeria as a global leader in scientific innovation, citing the country’s large population, expanding research capacity and growing pool of technical experts.
Presenting the project’s technical framework, the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, said the facility would create a national platform for genomic, biological and health data that would support medical discoveries, commercialise research and improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
He added that the project would also strengthen agriculture by improving crop and livestock production, boost food security, attract investment and support the growth of a globally competitive biotechnology industry.
Owolabi noted that Africa possesses the world’s greatest human genetic diversity, placing Nigeria in a strong position to become an international hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine. He added that the initiative would prioritise data sovereignty, intellectual property protection, artificial intelligence and bioinformatics while encouraging collaboration with Nigerian scientists in the diaspora.
The Federal Government said sustained collaboration among government institutions, universities, research organisations, industry partners and the private sector would ensure the successful implementation of the Nigeria Genomic City, unlocking new opportunities for healthcare innovation, scientific advancement, job creation and long-term economic growth.
