The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) have collaborated to strengthen food security and climate resilience in Nigeria.
The renewed partnership was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Dr Adamu Dabban, and his delegation to the NBRDA headquarters in Abuja, signalling a coordinated push to accelerate biotechnology-driven solutions across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Speaking during the visit, the Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, emphasised that biotechnology remains a critical enabler of increased agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable value chain development.
According to him, Nigeria’s agricultural challenges require integrated, science-led solutions that move beyond isolated interventions.
“The challenges confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector demand integrated solutions driven by science, innovation, and effective partnerships.
Strengthening collaboration between NBRDA and ARCN will fast-track the deployment of safe, sustainable, and farmer-centred biotechnological innovations,” Mustapha said.
He noted that biotechnology has the potential to improve yields, reduce production risks associated with climate change, and support sustainable livelihoods for farmers nationwide.
In his remarks, Dr Dabban highlighted that agriculture and biotechnology remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, economic recovery, youth employment, and inclusive growth.
He reaffirmed ARCN’s commitment to collaborative research with NBRDA, capacity building in advanced scientific fields, and promoting translational research that bridges the gap between laboratories and farms.
This approach, he stated, would ensure that research outputs translate into practical solutions that farmers can adopt, particularly young people seeking sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Both agencies have agreed to sustain strategic engagements aimed at expanding Nigeria’s agricultural biotechnology frontier, fostering innovation, and supporting climate-smart farming systems.
The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to national food security while creating pathways for youth participation in research, agribusiness, and technology-driven agriculture.
By strengthening the link between science and on-farm application, NBRDA and ARCN are positioning biotechnology as a key driver of sustainable agricultural growth and inclusive economic development in Nigeria.
Source: NBRDA
