The Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has called for collaborative investments in biotechnology research for vaccines and drugs development in Nigeria.
Mustapha, who made the call in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, said Nigeria must also invest in biotechnology research in agriculture, example, herbicide tolerant (HT) soybean which was genetically modified, maize, cotton and other related biotech (bt) crops for cleaner environment and industrial development.
He also urged that Nigeria should continue to empower the youth and women to participate in modern agriculture.
According to him, no country can grow if it does not have indigenous technology and government should provide enough funding.
The NABDA Boss also said government should stimulate the private sector into investing in research, encourage adaptation and use of indigenous technology by local industries.
He advised that enabling laws should be provided to protect indigenous technology from theft.
“NABDA remains committed to the recovery of Nigeria’s economy through technology application,’’ Mustapha said.
