July 13, 2023
By Sylvester Thompson
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD CoE-STI), in collaboration with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), organised a four-day national genome editing communication and advocacy strategy and action plan stakeholder validation workshop.
The workshop started on July 11 to be rounded up on July 14 in Abuja.
Genome editing technology is an emerging technology that finds application in various fields.
In agriculture, the technology uses information in the DNA of a plant to activate its dormant character that would help it to be healthy and more productive.
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General of the NABDA said the workshop was to propagate the technology and its implications for solving challenges in different sectors in Nigeria, but that agriculture was presently the focus.
The NABDA D-G assured that with the successful validation of the communication strategy, implementation would commence.
He said the workshop would improve the contributions of the strategy prior to its adoption.
He further said the communication and advocacy strategy and action plan on genome editing in Nigeria was born out of a collaboration.
Mustapha disclosed that the collaboration was between the Centre of Excellence in Science Technology and Innovation (CoE-STI) of AUDA-NEPAD, NABDA and other relevant stakeholders.
“Championed by the CoE-STI of AUDA-NEPAD, this initiative began in Nigeria on October 2022, with NABDA as the focal institution saddled with the responsibility to lead this frontier of science.
“ Several successful engagements and activities have been executed in previous months, and the outcomes are the reason we have gathered here today for this validation workshop,’’ he said.
He explained that the goal of the workshop was to examine a critical aspect of genome editing, the effective communication of its benefits, risks, and ethical considerations to the Nigerian population.
He acknowledged that they recognised the importance of fostering a well-informed society that would engage in meaningful discussions, make informed decisions, and contribute to shape policies that aligned with cultural, social, and ethical values.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Supervisor at the CoE of AUDA -NEPAD, in an interview with the press on the sideline of the event, said the workshop was very critical for the upward review and validation of the work previously done on the subject matter in December 2022.
He hinted that the validation would improve on the initial draft and bridge all gaps that were not identified by the technical team.
The Supervisor said this would help the implementation plan, whose essence was to ensure that the draft document did not remain on the shelf, but become actionable, hence the implementation had a timeline.
“So, if you see from the composition of the participants in this validation, we have traditional group, stakeholders from the media, policy makers, scientists, researchers, the Organised Private Sector among others.
“At the end of the day everybody will be able to represent their constituencies and able to contribute their inputs, and whatever was not mirrored or reflected well in the best interest of their constituency, would be rectified.
“Those inputs gathered would now be put into the final document, so that at the end of the day during implementation, every constituency is represented and able to reach out to all relevant stakeholders in driving the genome editing in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Level of Acceptance in Africa
Responding to questions, he mentioned African countries such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini as well as Ethiopia who all have policies that already show positivity.
Akinbo said government of these countries all saw and acknowledged the potentials of the innovative technology of genome editing, as there were top-notched policy engagements with these African nations, Nigeria inclusive.
.“From the level of acceptance we have seen, when products of this innovative technology are fully in the market, they will not go through the route of other technologies that suffered from bias.
“We believe that innovation leads to a prosperous nation, hence it is paramount that policy makers should be able to identify and acknowledge the benefits of innovation in order to show commitment.
“The mandate of the Centre of Excellence is to drive the implementation of Agenda 2063 which has the slogan, “The Africa we want’. Africa is tired of policies without implementation’, he said.
Akinbo added that this was the reason why their Chief Executive Officer travelled all over the world to speak about the agenda, and that the workshop was one of the pillars.
He said numerous scientists were engaged and carrying out laudable works in the laboratories, that their findings and outcomes needed to be adequately communicated.
Why the technology is important to Nigeria
Speaking on why Nigeria should take genome editing technology seriously, he said Nigeria is a special country on the continent because she plays a vital role on the continent and within the population of Nigeria.
Akinbo said: ‘’the critical mass of Nigeria, the expertise in Nigeria is very high, also the enabling environment that has been created by the government of Nigeria was also important, and there is a regulatory body in place that had been tested.
“What they are supposed to do in the implementation, they have tested by approving process, by having a guideline, by having a document that speak to the use of emerging technologies, so based on this, Nigeria is well positioned.’’
He stated categorically that it was important that the Nigerian Ministry of Finance should be a critical stakeholder because after the kick-off of the initiative, there was need for the financial buy-in of the government.
“That is why it is called mainstreaming and for you to mainstream beyond what the AUDA-NEPAD is doing, the government should also put in money for capacity to build infrastructure.
“This would be as a follow through so that all the farmers and people would benefit,’’ he said.
Akinbo explained that why Nigeria was very important was due to its expanding population of over 220 million people and also as an agrarian nation.
He argued that though the country depended heavily on the oil sector but that if it takes advantage and opportunities presented by agriculture, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country would grow at an exponential rate.
Accordingly, he noted that the capacity to utilise the fertile natural resources without using too much fertilizer, would lead to high yield.
“This is where and how genome editing technology becomes very important and when you turn all these natural resources into productivity, you will get increase which would lead to increase in the per capita income and livelihood of Nigerians.
“When the capacity of Nigerians is enhanced, Nigerians won’t need to travel outside to look for greener pastures because all what they are looking for outside are already here.
“Smaller countries would also stand to learn from us when we are okay and they would also learn from us on how to grow and sustain their economy,’’ Akino said.
Dr Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, Ag. Director of Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department of the NABDA and Facilitator of the AUDA-NEPAP/NABDA initiative, said the technology was useful for Nigeria and the African continent,
“The efforts that we are putting in is because it is important that Nigeria does not miss out of this technology.
“We have started well and this workshop is to crown our efforts in ensuring that we are able to adopt and adapt this technology at all levels.
If we are successful, it is going to have an impact on the development in Nigeria, especially when it comes to food security because this technology is targeted at improving the way and method we do things.
“It is going to improve crop productivity, it is going to enhance the characteristics and traits that were giving farmers problems with the crop,’’ she said.
Solebo expressed optimism that the successful domestication of the technology in Nigeria would translate to enhanced agricultural productivity.
She said all the Stakeholders identified and engaged in the project would go a long way to facilitate domestication of the technology in Nigeria and to have a good understanding of it.
“We can also use it to solve our problems as we deem fit because we would have control of it, even when we need to partner with industries or other external bodies, we will still have it,’’ she said.
Communicating Genome Editing Technology
A participant, Prof. Charles Adetunji, renowned Microbiologist and Biotechnologist, Edo State University and President of Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network, said devising a strategy for improvement was a pre-requisite for communicating genome editing.
He said communicating the science of the technology was driven by profound changes from policy driven to policy informing; from promoting science to interpreting science, from dissemination to interaction.
“Therefore, there is a need to discuss the implications of the outdated science communication model and an alternative model of public engagement that aims to align science with needs and values of the public.
“Also, experts should engage in public communication of science with the intention of mutual learning, rather than merely educating the public,’’ he said.
Adetunji mentioned some new strategies that could help in the communication strategy to include; reflective decision making and involving the public in decision making, which would ginger public trust and confidence.
He also talked about introducing novel and outsider perspective to enhance the process of proper understanding of the role of genome editing in boosting food security and feeding the ever-increasing population.
Mr Zidafamor Ebiarede, a Director at National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria, (NASC) also a participant, said the communication strategy being developed was timely for the enlightenment and buy-in of stakeholders.
“Implementing the strategy religiously will create the awareness to enhance acceptability of the technology and products derived from the technology,’’ he said.
He corroborated that genome editing technology was a great tool in applied modern technology for the development of improved agricultural products, particularly seeds, which are resistant and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress for enhanced productivity and agricultural production.
Obasegun Ayodele, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Vilsquare Research and a stakeholder from the Organised Private Sector, acknowledged that review and validation of the strategy discussed at the workshop was instrumental in shaping a comprehensive and effective approach.
Ayodele said: “It is inspiring to witness the collective efforts of experts and stakeholders in enhancing public awareness, fostering collaborations and answering accurate dissemination of information.
“This event has been pivotal in solidifying the strategy’s relevance and impact on Nigeria’s journey towards sustainable agriculture and economic growth.’’
AUDA-NEPAD/NABDA Partnership
Zidafamor, Director at the NASC said the partnership would drive the adoption of the technology in the country faster to improve agricultural production and productivity, enhance income and livelihood of farmers and attain food and nutrition security in the country.
Ayodele, CTO of Vilsquare Research said the partnership was a significant milestone in driving innovation and progress in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He said the collaboration demonstrated a shared commitment in harnessing the potential of genome editing for sustainable food system, economic development and improved livelihoods.
“By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, AUDA-NEPAD and NABDA are paving the way for transformative advancements in agriculture and positioning Nigeria as a leader in genome editing technology.
“It is an inspiring partnership that holds great promise for the future of Nigeria’s agriculture’, Ayodele said.
From the commencement of the workshop on Tuesday, July 11 till Thursday, 13, various experts made presentations, while all participants brainstormed on the review and validation of the strategy.
Dr Agnes Asagbra, Director General of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), said they had developed guidelines for researchers to adhere to and follow.
She also said there was a Memorandum of Understanding with Customs which was to ensure that unlicensed genome editing products would not enter the country.
Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, Director General of Sheda Science and Technology Complex, enjoined that stakeholders across the value chain should be adequately carried along for successful outcome of the project.(MAINSTREAM)