Health
Biotechnology key to tackling food insecurity, malnutrition — Minister
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has described biotechnology as a critical tool for addressing food insecurity, malnutrition and emerging health challenges, urging researchers, government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to collaborate in translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions.
Alausa, represented by the Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Idowu Olagunju, stated this on Wednesday at the fifth International Conference on Biotechnology for Food Security and Human Health in Abuja.
The minister said climate change, population growth, emerging diseases and disruptions to food supply chains were placing increasing pressure on food systems and healthcare services, making scientific innovation more important.
“Traditional methods alone can no longer keep pace with these compounding problems and demands. So, biotechnology is the answer,” he said.
According to him, biotechnology offers opportunities to improve agricultural productivity, enhance the nutritional quality of food crops and develop advanced medical interventions, including vaccines and gene therapies.
He explained that genetically modified crops could be developed to withstand pests and diseases and improve yield potential, while biofortification could help address nutrient deficiencies among vulnerable populations.
However, Alausa stressed that scientific discoveries would have limited impact without effective implementation, accessibility and collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
“The true power of scientific innovation does not lie within the walls of the laboratory. It lies in its application, accessibility, and scalability,” he said.
The minister called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, researchers, private enterprises, industries and civil society organisations to support research funding, strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure that biotechnology innovations reach communities that need them.
He urged participants to produce actionable recommendations that could support industries and improve food security across Nigeria and the African continent.
The conference, which began on Wednesday and is scheduled to end on Thursday, is organised by the UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology in partnership with the Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Speaking at the conference, the Foundation Executive Director of the International Centre for Biotechnology, Nsukka, Emeritus Professor Umezuruike Okpara, called for greater public understanding of genetic modification, arguing that biotechnology should be assessed based on its safe application rather than public fears.
“The way we produce crops and what we eat now are not the same as what our grandparents had before. With scientific methodology, we can improve the quality of seeds. We can select those that grow taller and those that produce higher yields,” Okpara said.
Okpara who is recognised as the world’s leading individual researcher on postharvest technology of pomegranates explained that genetic modification was a tool that could support agricultural productivity, adding that Nigeria already had a regulatory framework through the National Biosafety Management Agency to oversee modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms.
“It’s just a tool,” he said, urging stakeholders to focus on the safe application of the technology.
Okpara also disclosed that six memoranda of understanding had been signed with institutions in Nigeria, South Africa and other parts of Africa to strengthen research partnerships, share expertise and expand access to funding.
He said scientific institutions could achieve greater economic impact by pooling their resources, skills and competencies rather than working independently.
“You cannot do science alone if you want to achieve the widespread economic impact you desire. You cannot do it alone,” he said.
According to him, the partnerships would encourage joint research and training programmes, collaborative grant applications and resource sharing among participating institutions.
He noted that some research programmes he had been involved in were supported through industry partnerships and collaborations with universities in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The conference is also intended to strengthen capacity building and create opportunities for researchers and industry players to develop joint projects addressing food security, bioresources conservation and tropical diseases.
The conference comes amid continuing food insecurity in Nigeria, driven by conflict, climate-related shocks, high agricultural input costs and economic pressures affecting farmers and consumers.
The Food and Agriculture Organization’s September 2026 country brief estimated that approximately 36.3 million people faced acute food insecurity during the June-to-August lean season, highlighting the scale of the country’s food access challenges. 
Biotechnology is one of the approaches being explored to improve agricultural productivity, develop crops with resistance to pests and diseases, enhance nutritional value and strengthen resilience to environmental pressures.
Nigeria enacted its National Biosafety Act in 2015, establishing the legal framework for regulating modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms through the National Biosafety Management Agency. The framework is intended to protect human health and the environment while allowing the responsible use of the technology. 
However, biotechnology’s potential contribution to food security depends on effective regulation, research investment, access to suitable agricultural technologies and their adoption by farmers. It must also complement measures addressing insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, post-harvest losses and the affordability of food.
The conference is being held ahead of World Food Day, observed globally on October 16, and is expected to promote collaboration among researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders on solutions to food insecurity and human health challenges.
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