NASENI Moves to Strengthen Nigeria Genomic City Project With Technology Infrastructure

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the proposed Nigeria Genomics City Project through technology infrastructure, research development and strategic partnerships.

The commitment was disclosed during a meeting involving NASENI Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, and Chairman of the Thematic Working Group on Genomics City Project, Mawoya Owonibari, alongside other stakeholders.

According to the agency, the initiative is designed to attract investments, promote innovation and position Nigeria as a leading destination for genomics, biotechnology and advanced research.

Halilu said NASENI would provide the necessary technological infrastructure to support the development of a modern genomics ecosystem capable of translating scientific knowledge into practical applications.

He highlighted the importance of advanced research infrastructure, industrialisation capabilities and strategic partnerships in establishing the proposed Nigeria Genomics City, with the agency’s headquarters in Abuja identified as a potential starting point.

The NASENI chief executive explained that the project could support research-driven industries, create employment opportunities and encourage the development of local technologies by connecting scientific discoveries with commercial applications.

He added that the proposed Genomics City could serve as a platform for converting research outcomes into jobs, enterprises and economic growth, while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to develop indigenous technologies.

Owonibari said Nigeria needed to build the capacity to generate and commercialise its own genomic knowledge, particularly in areas such as healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture and high-performance computing.

He noted that genomics, which involves studying the genetic information of organisms, could support advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, agricultural research and biotechnology.

The proposed project is also expected to support data governance, data sovereignty and the management of sensitive biological information. Stakeholders emphasised that protecting genomic data would be critical to ensuring responsible research and safeguarding national interests.

The discussions further explored opportunities for collaboration with international partners, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), to mobilise resources and attract investment for the project’s development.

NASENI said the initiative would require coordinated efforts among government institutions, private investors, research organisations and technology companies to establish a sustainable genomics ecosystem in Nigeria.