Biotech Information Core Facility in Nigeria

Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology Al-Hassan Bako Zaku launched the Biotechnology Information Core Facility (BCIF) at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria on 9^th July 2009. The facility is a component of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) - Southwest Zonal Biotechnology Center. "Ministries and the universities should collaborate and work together to harness the resources available for the growth of the nation," said the Minister. He assured the Center of adequate funding, in line with the Federal Government's determination to bring back research culture in the university system.

Receiving the Minister in his office, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, lauded the government for building the center in the nation's premier university. He described the NABDA initiative as a welcomed development for healthy partnership with the University and assured the Minister of the University's commitment and support to the Center. The coordinator of the NABDA-Southwest Biotechnology Center and Deputy Director Oyekanmi Nash informed the Minister that the facility will provide the template for capacity-building (in bioinformatics education, training, research and development) and will be linked to the network of Biotechnology Information Centers (BICs) of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

Also present was NABDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Bamidele Solomon, who assured that the BCIF and other core facilities being set-up by the agency would go a long way in helping to strengthen scientific research in the country.

For more information, contact Dr. Oyekanmi Nash, Deputy-Director (Collaboration & Linkages), National Biotechnology Development Agency, FMST at oyekan.nash@gmail.com