Expert calls for investment in Biotech to achieve SDGs

A China-based Nigerian scientist, Dr. Arome Odiba, has called for significant investment in biotechnology to help Nigeria achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.

He made the call in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, noting that modern biotechnology, combined with indigenous practices, could play a crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues of food insecurity, health crises, and climate challenges.

Odiba emphasised the transformative impact that biotech solutions could have on the country’s future.

He explained that integrating biotechnology would be essential for making progress on key SDGs, including “Zero Hunger,” “Good Health and Well-Being,” and “Climate Action.”

“With continued investment in biotechnology and sustainable practices, Nigeria has the potential to not only meet its climate goals but also serve as a model for other developing nations,” Odiba stated.

He advocated for a collaborative approach involving indigenous communities, scientists, and policymakers to maximize the potential of biotechnology in tackling these challenges.

Odiba pointed out that despite Nigeria’s vast resources—such as over 34 million hectares of arable land—issues like human insecurity prevent these lands from being fully utilized.

Citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, he noted that 35 percent of Nigeria’s population is undernourished.

He explained that biotechnology, particularly through genetically modified crops, could improve crop resilience, increase yields, and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides, directly contributing to SDG 2—Zero Hunger.

He said according to the National Biotechnology Development Agency, GM crops could increase agricultural output by up to 30 per cent, a crucial factor for a sector that employs 70 per cent of Nigeria’s labour force.

In addressing SDG 3—Good Health and Well-Being, Odiba noted that biotechnology holds the potential to revolutionise Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He pointed out that “The country’s rich biodiversity is a reservoir for discovering new drugs, particularly plant-based medicines, citing the approval of several plant-based drugs by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as evidence of progress in this area.”

He, however, stressed that achieving better health outcomes also requires improved healthcare infrastructure and investment, as Nigeria’s health expenditure per capita remains far below the global average.

According to him, his research has led to the discovery of promising treatments for diseases like COVID-19 and cancer, noting that his collaboration with colleagues has yielded breakthroughs, including the identification of MasitinibL as a promising inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 and peptides targeting the MDM2-p53 interaction, which is relevant to cancer therapies.

He added, “Biotechnology offers solutions for both land and water conservation, and the need for better management of Nigeria’s coastal waters and forests, which face significant threats from pollution and deforestation.”