The Vice Chancellor of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Prof. James Chukwuma Ogbonna, has urged Nigeria to urgently harness the potential of biotechnology to drive food security, improve healthcare, and achieve economic sustainability.
Speaking at the 37th International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), in Umudike, themed “Innovative Biotechnology for National Growth: Pathways to Food Security, Health and Environmental Sustainability,” Prof. Ogbonna, who is also Chairman of the Occasion, stressed that biotechnology remains central to solving pressing human challenges, including hunger, energy security, healthcare delivery, and environmental sustainability.
He noted that while Nigeria still lacks the economic and technological capacity to resist external global influences, the nation must strategically align with global biotechnology trends while protecting its cultural values.
According to him, “We will best be able to protect ourselves from undue influences only if we advance technologically and economically to the point of being globally competitive.”
Prof. Ogbonna emphasized the need for Nigeria to deepen research and development, prioritize commercialization of biotechnology products, and channel bioresources into high-value products. He maintained that demonstrating biotechnology’s economic potential will attract greater investment from government and the private sector.
Highlighting the role of BSN, he revealed that the society already has cross-institutional research groups, but called for more funding, grant-winning proposals, and demand-driven research tailored to Nigeria’s immediate needs.
He warned that over-reliance on South-North collaborations often leads to foreign-driven research agendas with little local relevance.
On education, Prof. Ogbonna called for increased government investment in biotechnology training and institutional capacity.
He noted that the BSN leadership must strengthen relationships with relevant agencies to advance biotechnology education, research, and development in Nigeria.
While appreciating delegates for their presence, he expressed optimism that the conference would provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, re-evaluate Nigeria’s biotechnology landscape, and chart a course toward making the country a technology-driven, knowledge-based economy.
