Nigerian biotech to bolster ICT

In an interview with the Daily Independent Online, Reuben Jaja, the chairman of Ijaw Foundation said that Nigeria’s biotechnology background should be highlighted and bolstered in order to create a solid new IT sector for the country. He said that as one of the few countries with a burgeoning biotech industry, the government and private sector should take advantage of its unique position.

“The country does not want to fall further behind in the development of science and technology that could be responsible for manufacturing as much as 80 per cent of drugs in 2030. Our job is to change the situation, to create conditions for formation of powerful biotech sector in Nigeria,” said Jaja in the interview.

He continued to discuss the importance of the Regional Center for Bio-Enterprise Development (RCBD) as an institution that could help move the country into the forefront of the biotech industry worldwide. It comes as his foundation launched a series of workshops to help educate and improve on the knowledge of biotech in the country.

“The regional center for bio-technology enterprise development was created by the Federal Government and the emphasis for developing it was pushed by government as a way of promoting the industrial base of the Niger Delta communities by way of supporting industries that focus on non-oil resource areas,” Jaja added.

But analysts are not convinced that Nigeria is ready to become a leader in the biotech industry.

John Sambua, a Lagos-based IT analyst and biotech expert, said that while Nigeria has “great potential” to become a leader in the industry, he cautioned against promoting the industry as something that will bring in immediate investment.

“Nigeria has a lot of other issues that need to be taken care of before we move toward establishing the country on the international biotech map, but it is a sector that can be buttressed and supported slowly,” he said.

By Staff