NBRDA Nigeria

03/09/2026

Islamic Scholar Commends NBRDA DG, Urges Greater Public Support for Biotechnology

An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ahmad, has commended the Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, for his leadership and efforts to expand the application of biotechnology to issues affecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

Sheikh Ahmad made the commendation on Wednesday when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He praised Prof. Mustapha for the progress recorded by NBRDA under his leadership, especially the Agency’s focus on applying biotechnology to needs in agriculture, healthcare, industry and other areas of national development.

The Islamic scholar urged NBRDA to sustain its efforts and called for greater public understanding and support for biotechnology, noting its capacity to provide solutions to some of the challenges facing the country.

Receiving the delegation, Prof. Mustapha thanked Sheikh Ahmad and his team for the visit and stressed the importance of making the work of NBRDA more accessible to the public and increasing understanding of how biotechnology affects everyday life.

He briefed the visitors on key developments at NBRDA and the Agency’s work to strengthen biotechnology research, innovation and application in areas such as food security, healthcare, industrial production, environmental sustainability and economic diversification.

Prof. Mustapha said NBRDA remains focused on taking biotechnology beyond the laboratory and translating research into solutions that respond to national needs and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.

01/09/2026

The Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, was a guest on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria on Tuesday, where he enlightened the public on the recently approved Revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026 and its significance for Nigeria.

The discussion highlighted the enormous opportunities biotechnology offers for food security, healthcare, industrial development, environmental sustainability and economic diversification.

Prof. Mustapha noted that the revised policy brings Nigeria’s biotechnology framework in line with significant advances in the field over the past 25 years, including emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, climate smart technologies, advanced manufacturing, gene editing and genomics.

He also emphasised the need to move beyond research to the development, transfer and commercialisation of biotechnology innovations, ensuring that research translates into technologies, products and services that solve national problems.

With the revised policy now providing a robust national framework, Nigeria has an opportunity to build a more competitive biotechnology sector, attract investment, strengthen local capacity and harness the economic and social benefits of the growing global bioeconomy.

31/08/2026

27/08/2026

NBRDA, NFIU Partner to Strengthen Nigeria’s Biotechnology Economy

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are set to collaborate to promote the safe growth of Nigeria’s biotechnology sector and strengthen the financial systems that enable research, investment and commercialisation.

The Director General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he led a delegation from the Agency on a courtesy visit to the CEO of the NFIU, Ms Hafsat Bakari.

Prof. Mustapha said the engagement was timely, following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the Revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026 on 19 August. He noted that the policy places greater emphasis on inter-agency collaboration in areas where biotechnology intersects with national development, financial integrity and security.

He explained that as Nigeria’s biotechnology ecosystem expands, increased investments, research funding, technology transfer, specialised equipment, biological materials and cross-border transactions will require appropriate safeguards to protect legitimate research and investment, particularly as some biotechnology equipment, materials and technologies have dual use applications.

Prof. Mustapha proposed the establishment of a Joint Technical Working Group between NBRDA and NFIU to develop specific areas of collaboration, including lawful information sharing, joint proliferation financing risk assessment, capacity building, and regulatory and data system alignment.

Responding, the NFIU CEO commended NBRDA for its work in advancing biotechnology research and innovation.
She welcomed the proposals and expressed the NFIU’s readiness to work with NBRDA.

Ms Bakari said the recommendations were in line with the mandate of the NFIU, noting that the growth of biotechnology will bring increased investments, research funding, intellectual property, technology transfer and financial transactions requiring transparency, accountability and integrity.

The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s biotechnology ecosystem, promote investment, protect innovation and support the commercialisation of research for greater economic and social benefits.

26/08/2026

NBRDA DG Joins Minister Udeh to Honour Retiring Head of Service

The Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has joined the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, in honouring the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, as she retires from public service at the age of 60.

Prof. Mustapha was among senior government officials and Directors General of agencies under the Ministry who attended the ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja to mark Mrs. Walson-Jack’s retirement, 60th birthday and the unveiling of her two books, I Planted and Beyond the Mandate.

The Minister represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the occasion, which recognised Mrs. Walson-Jack’s years of dedicated service and contribution to the development of Nigeria’s public service.

President Tinubu, in his message, described the retiring Head of Service as a reform-minded public servant whose career reflected purposeful service, institutional leadership and commitment to strengthening public administration.

The President emphasised the importance of a professional, ethical, innovative and citizen-centred civil service capable of effectively implementing government policies and responding to the changing needs of citizens. He also commended Mrs. Walson-Jack for documenting her experiences and lessons in her books for the benefit of future generations.

The unveiling of her books, I Planted and Beyond the Mandate, marked the high point of the ceremony, providing a record of Mrs. Walson-Jack’s experiences, reflections and contributions throughout her public service career.

The occasion brought together senior government officials and other dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Seriake Dickson, the Governors of Bayelsa, Borno and Rivers States, Permanent Secretaries across the Federal Civil Service and the newly appointed Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

22/08/2026

NBRDA lauds FEC approval of Agency’s revised policy

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), has lauded the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026, describing it as a major s…

21/08/2026

FEC Approves Revised National Biotechnology Policy For Nigeria’s Development

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026 as a major step towards harnessing biotechnology more

21/08/2026

FEC Approves Revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026

20/08/2026

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revised National Biotechnology Policy 2026, providing an updated framework