News

Introducing Genome Editing into Nigerian University Curriculum’ll equip students-Don

January 18, 2024

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, of the African Union Development Agency(AUDA-NEPAD), says introducing genome editing science as a course of study into Nigerian Universities curriculum would equip students with first hand knowledge of the technology.

Akinbo, Supervisor at the Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation(STI), spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

He said the essence of the curriculum development for genome editing was to afford students the background required for them to fit into the job, rather than learning on the job.

NAN reports that in collaboration with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in STI, made submissions at a two-day workshop in December, 2023.

The workshop was organised to strengthen institutional capacity in genome editing and biotechnology through strategic alliances with Nigerian Universities and Agricultural Research Institutions.

Giving update on the status of the initiative, Akinbo said the response was positive, bearing in mind that it was a completely nascent initiative.

He said: “Presently, the Vice Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University is really working hard in collaboration with the NABDA to get this in form.

” We are hopeful that at the end of the day, genome editing will get into the curriculum of Nigerian Universities.

“Moreover, it would also help to teach the courses that are part of this initiative.”

Justifying further, the benefits of introducing genome editing science into Nigerian Universities Curriculum, he noted that the work environment was changing.

Akinbo said the millennium generation preferred to work smart, which implied having information ahead of time.

He clarified that for this to take place, genome editing, as an evolving technology needed to be introduced into the Universities Curriculum.

He said when this happen, graduating students would not be getting into the job space to learn about it, but already had the science background that wouid quality them for the job.

According to the AUDA-NEPAD Supervisor, the same initiative was also taking place in other African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, who all have biosafety laws in place.

Speaking on the last meeting held in December 2023, Akinbo said Nigeria in particular, was very positive.

“We used geopolitical zones to invite Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities.

“We also invited State Universities that could pick this technology beyond the theory aspect to the practical.

” The Vice Chancellors and Director Generals of Research Institutions also came up with ideas, together with the National Universities Commission on how to make this happen as fast as possible, ” Akinbo said. (NAN)

Related Posts

President Tinubu, others task stakeholders on humanitarian initiatives

Poverty, unemployment responsible for insecurity in North-West — Uba Sani 

DHQ dismisses coup rumour

Umahi urges youths to shun calls for protests against Tinubu’s govt

Labour Strike: Workers observe partial compliance

Protest: Maintain peace, embrace dialogue, NGO urges organisers

Falana sues CBN, says floating of naira ‘illegal’

Firm engages stakeholders on workplace productivity, transformational leadership

Niger Delta needs peaceful environment for oil and gas to thrive, GOC tells Ogbuku