Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged experts in the biotechnology ecosystem to harness the innovative power of biotechnology to drive economic growth.

Mr Shettima made this call while declaring open the five-day International Conference on Biotechnology (ICoB24) hosted by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) on Monday in Abuja.

The conference has the theme, “Biotechnology as an Engine for Economic Growth.’’

Mr Shettima, represented by his special adviser on general duties, Aliyu Umar, expressed optimism that with hard work, biotechnology would revolutionise Nigeria’s economic growth.

The vice president commended the work and achievements of Nigerian experts in the biotechnology space and called for commitment, perseverance and sacrifice.

He assured that with virtues, the country would get to the promised land.

Mr Shettima added that young Nigerians, who would take over the country, should also be nurtured and encouraged to become professionals just as the last generation of leaders did.

Uche Nnaji, minister of innovation, science and technology, said he was strongly persuaded that food insecurity would become history in Nigeria with the application of biotechnology for improved crop yields.

Mr Nnaji, who was represented by Olayiwola Agoro, deputy director, strategy implementation task office for Presidential Executive Order No. 5, said with emerging supportive systems, Nigeria would soon experience economic growth.

“We have patriotic and innovative biotechnologists, who can ensure that more goods and services are produced and made available in our economy, contributing to the economic diversification agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration,” he said.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, director general of the NBRDA and convener, said that biotechnology in its various forms, revolutionised industries across the globe, offering innovative solutions to some of the pressing challenges facing humanity.

“From agriculture to healthcare, environmental management to industrial processes, biotechnology holds the key to unlocking sustainable development and economic prosperity.

“Nigeria, with its rich biodiversity, dynamic population, and growing technological capabilities, is uniquely positioned to leverage biotechnology for transformative growth,” Mr Mustapha said.

The NBRDA director-general urged that the power of biotechnology should be harnessed for the benefit of the country.

A former governor of Cross River State, Clement Ebri, said that current budgetary provisions were not sufficient to support transforming scientific advances into societal benefits compared to industrialised nations.

Mr Ebri, who was one of the keynote speakers, called for provision of meaningful financial assistance to reduce the high cost of innovative activities.

Earlier, Dr Rose Gidado, director of agricultural biotechnology, NBRDA, and chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said that the conference was designed on and for a purpose.

“The purpose is to advance knowledge and foster collaboration in biotechnology for the betterment of humankind,” she said.

Highlight of the event was presentation of awards of excellence and certificates of recognition for outstanding support to individuals of organisations for promoting excellence in biotechnology.

The event also featured goodwill messages from prominent organisations and keynote addresses.

Policy makers, researchers, scientists, experts, stakeholders among others, were also in attendance.

(NAN)