The Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that derma skincare technology, newly introduced in Nigeria will reduce the risk of excessive skin care usage.
Mustapha stated this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.
On Oct. 16, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tropical Derma Research and Training Institute (TDRTI), a U.S.-based firm.
“It is a good initiative where there is going to be collaboration between the U.S. based firm and agencies here in the country,” he said.
The NBRDA boss said that Nigeria has abundant natural resources which could be harnessed to make cosmetics that are harmless to the skin.
He said by adding value to biological natural resources, through the newly introduced tropical derma technology which also offers skin analysis, toxic skin care products would no longer be a threat.
Mustapha said bringing the technology closer to Nigerian society was what would change the narrative of skin care in Nigeria.
According to him, numerous Nigerians are having skin issues arising from the application of excessive skin care products that damage their skin.
“But the collaboration and transfer of technology is going to enhance the product that is going to be developed here in the country.
“The products are going to be commiserate to what we want to reduce the risk of harmful skincare products and usage,” he said.
He said the partnership was an important milestone as it directly supported national objectives of promoting public health, fostering innovation and advancing sustainable economic growth.
Mustapha noted that the rise in harmful skincare products posed serious health risks to many Nigerians, particularly women, adding that the long-term effects of these unregulated products were alarming.
He said by encouraging local production, Nigeria could reduce dependence on harmful, unregulated imports and build a safer, high-quality beauty industry.
“The collaboration exemplifies the transformative power of science, technology and innovation in tackling public health challenges and promoting sustainable growth.
“With biotechnology natural resources which are bio-resources, can be harnessed and then make it available to be used for the production of cosmetics products,” he said.
NAN
