Nigeria Begins Review of National Biotechnology Policy to Strengthen Global Bioeconomy Role
December 9, 2025
Nigeria has opened a major review and validation process to upgrade its national biotechnology policy, with the goal of strengthening scientific capacity and positioning the country more competitively within the global bioeconomy.
The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency convened a two-day multi-stakeholder workshop in Abuja from December 8 to 9, 2025. The forum brought together government officials, researchers, and industry experts to assess existing frameworks and ensure that the revised national biotechnology policy reflects current scientific priorities and technological advancements.
Speaking at the opening session on Monday, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kinsley Udeh, stressed that biotechnology policy must evolve with emerging scientific developments.
He noted that effective implementation requires a forward-looking approach, describing the review process as a “national call to renew commitment, strengthen coordination and ensure that policy actions translate into tangible socio-economic benefits for Nigerians.”
Udeh urged stakeholders to reinforce Nigeria’s biotechnology ecosystem by increasing research investment, modernizing laboratories, and establishing a trusted regulatory framework capable of ensuring safety while accelerating the transition of scientific discoveries into real-world applications.
Director General Abdullahi Mustapha underscored that the original national biotechnology policy, approved in 2001, no longer reflects current global realities. He said the updated policy must integrate rapid breakthroughs in genomics, gene editing, synthetic biology, biomanufacturing and climate-smart technologies that now shape the international bioeconomy.
He outlined the key tasks before participants, including reviewing the zero draft, harmonizing contributions, and validating the 2025 policy to ensure it supports food security, healthcare innovation, industrial competitiveness, environmental sustainability and bioinformatics development.
Dr. Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo detailed the review methodology and emphasized the urgency of incorporating emerging biotechnologies into national planning. She noted that Nigeria must modernize its policy framework to strengthen its competitive positioning in the global bioeconomy.
Day one of the workshop featured goodwill messages and harmonization sessions focused on priority implementation areas. Stakeholder discussions centered on ensuring that the renewed national biotechnology policy drives innovation, enhances national resilience and accelerates sustainable development across key sectors.
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