Prof Folasade Olajuyigbe, Director of the Prof Julius Okojie Central Research Laboratory at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has called for Nigeria to lead in developing a regional bioeconomy in West Africa.
Speaking at a regional workshop titled “Towards a West African Regional Bioeconomy: The Contribution of Policy, Science, and Technology Innovations” held in Dakar, Senegal, on September 4, 2025, Olajuyigbe said Nigeria’s biodiversity, skilled workforce, and industrial base position it as a potential bioeconomy hub for the region.
She noted that the country already embeds bioeconomy principles into its science, industrial, and environmental policies while fostering public-private partnerships to scale innovation.
“With coordinated action, strong policy frameworks, and strategic investment, the region can harness its natural and human capital for sustainable and inclusive growth,” she stated.
The workshop gathered policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders from across West Africa to outline strategies for collaboration ahead of the 2026 Global Bioeconomy Summit in Dublin. Participants agreed on the need for regional policy frameworks, innovation mapping, and a continental bioeconomy database.
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