The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) have pledged to deepen collaboration in promoting sustainable agricultural development through biotechnology.
The commitment was reinforced during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, to the NBRDA, aimed at strengthening joint research and innovation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Dabban emphasized the crucial role of biotechnology in tackling agricultural challenges such as climate change, pests, diseases, and low productivity. He praised NBRDA for its efforts in promoting safe and innovative biotechnology solutions that enhance food security and national development.
“The Federal Government has elevated agriculture as central to economic recovery, poverty alleviation, and rural employment. Biotechnology stands as a critical enabler of this vision, ensuring innovations are safe, sustainable, and responsive to the real needs of our farmers and citizens,” Dr. Dabban stated.
He added that strengthening collaborative research frameworks with NBRDA will accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of biotechnology outputs that are safe, accessible, and suited to Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecologies. Key areas of focus include genomics, bioinformatics, precision breeding, and translational research that connects laboratory discoveries to smallholder farmers on the ground.
Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NBRDA, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it will help both agencies expand their research reach, attract more funding, and ensure sustainable agriculture across the country.
The Executive Secretary was accompanied on the visit by senior ARCN officials, including Dr. Aliyu Shuaibu Madugu, Director of Planning, Research & Statistics, Dr. Nuhu Yusuf, Director of Knowledge Management and Communications, and Mrs. Khadijat Oluwatoyin Ameen, Public Relations Officer.
The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to leveraging science and innovation as tools for food security, economic growth, and the overall advancement of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
