The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Genomic City, a national initiative aimed at positioning the country as a leading hub for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine, while announcing plans to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund expected to mobilise nearly $500 million annually for research and innovation.

Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, disclosed this on Wednesday during a high-level stakeholders meeting in Abuja, where he said the initiative forms part of the government’s strategy to transform Nigeria into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

In a statement issued by Ikharo Attah, Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Alausa warned that Nigeria risks turning its growing population into a liability if it fails to invest aggressively in science, research and innovation.

“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,” the minister said.

He described the Nigeria Genomic City as a strategic national investment designed to harness the country’s vast genomic resources to improve healthcare, strengthen food security, promote scientific discovery and create new economic opportunities through biotechnology and precision medicine.

According to Alausa, the project was conceived more than 20 months ago and intentionally structured as a multi-agency, multi-ministerial initiative because of its strategic national…