The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City initiative, a multi-agency project aimed at positioning the country as a leading African hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine, with the University of Abuja known as Yakubu Gowon University, selected as the host institution.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday in Abuja following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a strategic national investment designed to drive scientific innovation, strengthen healthcare and accelerate economic development.

According to the minister, the project, conceived more than 20 months ago, was intentionally structured as a multi-ministerial initiative because of its national importance.

Alausa said the Genomic City would leverage Nigeria’s rich genomic resources to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen food security, advance scientific research and create new economic opportunities.

He warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population could become a burden if strategic investments in science and innovation were not prioritised.

“The biggest demographic dividend ever witnessed anywhere in the world could become a demographic calamity for us if we fail to act. We do not have a choice,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is finalising plans to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund expected to mobilise about $500 million annually to support research and innovation across the country. He noted that the enabling legislation is currently awaiting the necessary approvals.

Alausa explained that the Federal Ministry of Education would coordinate the implementation of the initiative, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Board for Technology Incubation and other partners would provide technological and innovation support.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the project’s long-term success, describing it as a national asset that would promote scientific advancement and economic growth for future generations.

Speaking at the meeting, the Pioneer Director of the Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Mayowa Owolabi, said the initiative would establish a sustainable national platform built on genomic, biological and health data resources.

According to him, the platform would support the discovery, development and commercialisation of innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Owolabi added that the project’s impact would extend beyond healthcare by applying genomic science to improve crop and livestock production, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s food security.

He further explained that the initiative would safeguard Nigeria’s genomic resources through robust data sovereignty and intellectual property frameworks, integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, develop a highly skilled scientific workforce and attract both local and international investments.

The Nigeria Genomic City initiative builds on the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Last year, the government launched the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Cancer Research and Implementation (SINCCAR) programme, which aims to train 120 young researchers while enhancing Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research and evidence-based healthcare delivery.

Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu, said the programme was designed to equip the next generation of researchers with the expertise needed to advance cancer research and implementation science across Nigeria.