FG targets $500m annual research fund with new genomics hub

The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City, a national initiative aimed at positioning the country as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine, while announcing plans to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund expected to mobilise nearly $500 million annually for research and innovation.

 

Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this on Wednesday during a high-level stakeholders meeting in Abuja, where he said the initiative forms part of the government’s strategy to transform Nigeria into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

 

In a statement issued by Ikharo Attah, Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Alausa warned that Nigeria risks turning its growing population into a liability if it fails to invest aggressively in science, research and innovation.

 

“The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity for us if we fail to act. We do not have a choice,” the minister said.

 

He described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment designed to harness the country’s vast genomic resources to improve healthcare, strengthen food security, promote scientific discovery and create new economic opportunities through biotechnology and precision medicine.

 

According to Alausa, the project was conceived more than 20 months ago and intentionally structured as a multi-agency, multi-ministerial initiative because of its strategic national importance.

 

He explained that although the concept originated while he served as Minister of State for Health and later became Minister of Education, he resisted efforts to place the project under a single ministry, insisting it should remain a national asset driven through broad collaboration.

 

“The project is not about institutional ownership or individual interests. It belongs to Nigeria and is designed to serve future generations,” he said.

 

The minister said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of transitioning Nigeria from a resource-dependent economy to one driven by knowledge, research, technology and innovation.

 

He noted that while advanced economies have built trillion-dollar industries around genomics and biotechnology, Nigeria continues to underutilise one of the world’s richest genomic resources.

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Alausa also warned against unequal international data-sharing arrangements that allow valuable African genomic data to generate significant value abroad with limited benefits returning to the continent.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to strengthen data sovereignty, protect its scientific resources and pursue international partnerships that deliver mutual benefits.

To support the broader research ecosystem, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund, which is expected to mobilise about $500 million annually for research across universities, research institutes and innovation hubs.

He expressed confidence that following approval by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly, President Tinubu would assent to the enabling legislation, creating a sustainable funding mechanism for research and innovation.

Alausa further announced that the University of Abuja will host the Nigeria Genomic City, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other strategic partners will provide the technological support needed for implementation.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Education will coordinate the project, mobilise resources and ensure collaboration among participating institutions.

Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, described the initiative as a rare opportunity for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in scientific innovation rather than a follower.

She said the country’s large population, expanding research capacity and growing pool of technical experts provide a strong foundation for the project’s success and pledged the ministry’s full support in mobilising institutional partnerships.

Presenting the project’s technical framework, Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan and initiator of the Nigeria Genomic City, said the initiative would establish a sustainable national platform built on genomic, biological and health data to drive the discovery, development and commercialisation of solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cures.

He added that the project would also improve crop and livestock production, strengthen food security and support inclusive economic growth.

Owolabi noted that Africa possesses the world’s richest genetic diversity, placing Nigeria in a strong position to become a global centre for genomics, precision medicine and biotechnology.

According to him, the initiative will also safeguard Nigeria’s genomic resources through stronger data sovereignty and intellectual property protection, while integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.

He said the project would help develop a world-class scientific workforce, attract investment, deepen collaboration with Nigerian researchers in the diaspora and position the country as an exporter of biotechnology innovations rather than a consumer of scientific solutions developed elsewhere.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Alausa said sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners and the private sector would be critical to unlocking Nigeria’s scientific potential, strengthening global competitiveness and delivering long-term economic benefits.