The Federal Government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation are set to deepen collaboration on bioethics development in Nigeria through a planned Memorandum of Understanding.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, made this disclosure in a statement on Friday.
Bioethics refers to the ethical principles and guidelines that govern scientific research and technological advancements in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences, particularly in relation to human health, safety, and welfare.
Nnaji disclosed that the agreement aims to consolidate the progress made since the establishment of Nigeria’s Bioethics Committee.
He highlighted the significance of this partnership, noting that it reflects the country’s commitment to ethical innovation and scientific advancement.
The statement followed a visit by the UNESCO Assisting Bioethics Committees Project team and members of the Bioethics Committee, the Director-General of the National Biotechnology and Research Development Agency, led by Prof Abdullahi Mustafa.
The delegation included Dafna Feinholz, Director of UNESCO’s Division of Ethics of Science and Technology, and Prof. Marie-Genevieve Pinsart.
Nnaji noted that the visit underscored the importance of sustaining collaborative efforts with international organizations.
He said, “For the first time in our nation’s history, the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology was prominently represented on the global stage, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu.”
The minister added that this milestone has resulted in gains for Nigeria’s innovation, science, and technology sectors.
According to Nnaji, UNESCO’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s bioethics capacity through training and collaboration aligns with the shared vision for scientific and ethical progress. The MoU is expected to formalize these efforts and drive further advancements.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s resolve to achieve its goals through strategic partnerships, stating that such engagements ensure continuous progress in national innovation initiatives.