Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe says the state government has spent N800 million on the construction of the permanent office of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu.
Buni stated this on Thursday at the inauguration of the centre in Damaturu.
He commended the Director of BioRTC, Prof. Mahmoud Maina, for his exceptional commitment and personal contributions toward acquiring equipment valued at over N10 billion for the centre’s operations.
According to the governor, the centre represents a major scientific asset that will promote inclusive, accurate and locally relevant medical research.
“For too long, Africa has relied on medical research conducted in different climes, cultures and lifestyles without due consideration for our peculiarities and genetic diversity,” Buni said.
He expressed pride that BioRTC has established Africa’s first major induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biobank with an African-centred focus.
The governor also noted that the centre is leading efforts to establish one of Nigeria’s most comprehensive dementia research cohorts, which he said would position the country on the global map for Alzheimer’s disease and brain health research.
Buni said the centre was also motivated by the persistent cases of chronic kidney disease affecting communities along the River Yobe, describing the condition as a major public health challenge that has claimed many lives.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Health to partner with BioRTC on affordable diagnostic programmes, including malaria microscopy, and appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Federal Kidney Disease Centre in Yobe State.
The governor further appreciated the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) for inducting him into its Hall of Fame in recognition of his support for neuroscience research and efforts to address health challenges in Africa.
In his remarks, Prof. Maina thanked the Buni-led administration for providing operational funding for the centre and sponsoring staff for overseas training.
He said BioRTC, founded in 2021 with support from the university and state government, has trained over 1,000 scientists in research and innovation.
Maina, a visiting professor at the University of Sussex, England, said the centre had acquired state-of-the-art equipment through international collaborations, including high-end laser confocal microscopes and a circular dichroism machine.
Also speaking, Prof. Amadi Ihunwo, Chairman of SONA’s Governing Council, urged the public and private sectors to invest in BioRTC.
He also advised the Federal Government to establish similar centres across the six geopolitical zones to strengthen research into tropical and neurological diseases.
