Nigeria is hosting five other African Union (AU) member states to discuss the application and adoption of genome editing technologies in increasing agricultural output.
Mrs. Toyin Omozuma, Press Secretary to the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), made the statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to her, the AUDA-NEPAD initiative was launched and driven by Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eswantini, and Zambia.
“It’s a three-day writing workshop to build a Genome Editing National Communication Strategy for Nigeria beginning December 12 to 14 in Lagos,” she explained.
“The workshop is also meant to underscore the importance of this cutting-edge technology, deepen public understanding as well as build confidence in agricultural research and biotechnology.”
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NABDA, stated that a broad range of stakeholders should forecast and respond to the country’s acceptance and domestication of genome editing technology and goods.
According to her, Dr Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, Ag. Director, Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics Department, who is facilitating the AUDA-NEPAD Project, stated that the workshop would bring together Nigerian scientists, media, and key stakeholders.
Ajenifujah-Solebo said this would explore outcomes of the appraisal exercise conducted during the in-country consultations which sought the buy-in by national stakeholders.
She also said that lead experts were already identified from the six AU member states to constitute a continental platform for gene editing.
Ajenifujah-Solebo said this was to enable a consolidated science-based approach to emerging agricultural transformation technologies in Africa.
She said: “The goal of the Genome Editing (GEd) project is to foster a broader understanding of GEd among different stakeholder groups through communication and advocacy for enhanced uptake of the tool to optimise agriculture in Africa.
”This includes support for the achievement of key development outcomes, such as adapting to climate change and reducing poverty and sustainability of food systems.”
Genome Editing can be described as a technique for improving food crops, enhancing yields, quality and increasing quantity.
With its application, Nigerians are assured of food security, increased productivity and sustainable environment.
