The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy with the unveiling of the Nigeria Genomic City, a landmark initiative designed to harness the country’s vast genomic resources to advance scientific research, improve healthcare, strengthen food security and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, warned that Nigeria’s greatest demographic advantage could become a demographic calamity if the country fails to invest decisively in research, science and innovation.
Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr Ikharo Attah, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
“The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity for us if we fail to act. We do not have a choice,” the minister declared.
He described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment that will position Nigeria as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine while laying the foundation for long-term scientific and economic advancement.
Dr. Alausa explained that the initiative was conceived more than 20 months ago and deliberately structured as a multi-agency, multi-ministerial project because of its strategic national importance. Although the idea originated while he served as Minister of State for Health and later assumed office as Minister of Education, he said he deliberately resisted efforts to place the project under a single ministry, insisting that it belongs to Nigeria and should be driven through broad national collaboration.
According to the minister, the project is not about institutional ownership or individual interests but about creating a sustainable national asset that will serve generations of Nigerians.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to moving Nigeria from a resource-based economy to one powered by knowledge, research, technology and innovation, with the Nigeria Genomic City serving as one of the key drivers of that vision.
Dr. Alausa observed that while advanced economies have built trillion-dollar industries around biotechnology and genomics, Nigeria continues to underutilise one of the world’s richest genomic resources.
He warned that unequal international data-sharing arrangements have allowed valuable African genomic data to generate enormous value abroad with little benefit to the continent.
He stressed that Nigeria must make deliberate investments to protect its scientific resources, strengthen data sovereignty and attract global partnerships that deliver mutual benefits for the country.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, which is expected to mobilise nearly 500 million dollars annually to support research and innovation across the country.
He expressed confidence that, following consideration by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would assent to the enabling legislation, ushering in a new era of sustainable research funding.
He further announced that the University of Abuja will 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 the technological and innovation support required for its successful implementation.
The Federal Ministry of Education, he added, will coordinate implementation, mobilise resources and ensure effective collaboration among all participating institutions.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the initiative, describing the Nigeria Genomic City as a unique opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader rather than a follower in scientific innovation.
She noted that the country’s large population, expanding research capacity and growing pool of technical experts provide a strong foundation for the project’s success. She assured stakeholders of the ministry’s full support in mobilising the partnerships and institutional commitment required to bring the initiative to fruition.
Presenting the technical framework for the project, Professor Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, University of Ibadan, and initiator of the Nigeria Genomic City, described the initiative as a transformative investment that will reshape healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology and economic development.
He explained that the project will establish a sustainable national platform built on genomic, biological and health data resources to drive the discovery, development and commercialisation of innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures. The initiative will also improve crop and livestock production, strengthen food security and support inclusive economic growth.
Professor Owolabi noted that Africa possesses the world’s richest genetic diversity, placing Nigeria in a unique position to become a global hub for genomics, precision medicine and biotechnology.
He added that the project will safeguard the nation’s genomic resources through robust data sovereignty and intellectual property protection while integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.
According to him, the initiative will also develop a world-class scientific workforce, attract investment, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position Nigeria as an exporter of scientific discoveries and biotechnology innovations rather than a consumer of solutions developed elsewhere.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, assured stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to provide the leadership and coordination needed to deliver the Nigeria Genomic City.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners and the private sector would unlock Nigeria’s scientific potential, strengthen its global competitiveness and secure lasting benefits for future generations.