The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has taken steps to deepen international collaboration in biotechnology with a working visit to the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Trieste, Italy.
The delegation, led by NABDA Director-General Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, included the agency’s Board Chairman, Chief Clement Ebri, and Head of the ICGEB Desk, Dr. Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo. They were received by ICGEB Director-General, Dr. Lawrence Banks, and his management team.
Discussions centred on advancing joint projects in crop nutritional improvement, biofuel production, access to affordable medicines, and agricultural innovation. Both sides also explored opportunities for training young Nigerian scientists through ICGEB fellowships and research programmes.
Professor Mustapha, who also serves as Nigeria’s liaison officer to the ICGEB, praised the Centre for supporting Nigerian researchers through fellowships, grants, and technology transfer initiatives.
Dr. Banks reaffirmed ICGEB’s commitment to expanding cooperation, pledging to assist NABDA in equipping its laboratories and supporting the creation of a regional reference laboratory in Nigeria.
The visit marked NABDA’s first high-level engagement with ICGEB since the appointment of Professor Mustapha and is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in biotechnology research and innovation.
