Nigeria is hosting five other African Union (AU) member states to discuss the use and adoption of genome editing technology in strengthening agricultural productivity.
Mrs. Toyin Omozuma, Press Secretary to the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), made the announcement on Monday In Abuja.
According to her, the AUDA-NEPAD project was initiated and driven by Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eswantini, and Zambia.
"It's a three-day writing workshop to develop a Genome Editing National Communication Strategy for Nigeria beginning December 12 to 14 in Lagos," she explained.
"The workshop is also intended to highlight the significance of this cutting-edge technology, deepen public understanding, and build trust in agricultural research and biotechnology."
The Director-General of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said the broad spectrum of stakeholders should look forward to and be responsive to the adoption and domestication of the genome editing tool and products in the country.
According to her, the Ag. Director, Genetics, Genomics & Bioinformatics Department, Dr Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, who is facilitating the AUDA-NEPAD Project said that the workshop would bring together Nigerian Scientists, media and relevant stakeholders.
Ajenifujah-Solebo said this would explore outcomes of the appraisal exercise conducted during the in-country consultations which sought the buy-in by national stakeholders.
She also said that lead experts were already identified from the six AU member states to constitute a continental platform for gene editing.
Ajenifujah-Solebo said this was to enable a consolidated science-based approach to emerging agricultural transformation technologies in Africa.
She said: “The goal of the Genome Editing (GEd) project is to foster a broader understanding of GEd among different stakeholder groups through communication and advocacy for enhanced uptake of the tool to optimise agriculture in Africa.
”This includes support to the achievement of key development outcomes, such as adapting to climate change and reducing poverty and sustainability of food systems.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Genome Editing can be described as a technique for improving food crops, enhancing yields, quality and increasing quantity.
With it’s application, Nigerians are assured of food security, increased productivity and sustainable environment.