Imoleayo Oyedeyi
A scientist, Dr Arome Solomon Odiba, has called for a concerted effort among African nations, particularly Nigeria, to harness the potential of bioscience and biotechnology in driving economic growth, improving healthcare, and enhancing food security.
In a statement made available to The PUNCH recently, Odiba stressed that with a strategic vision and collaboration, African countries could unlock significant advancements in these fields to tackle both local and global challenges.
“Countries like the United States and Germany have harnessed bioscience and biotechnology to achieve remarkable advancements. Africa, home to 25% of the world’s biodiversity, has the same potential to contribute up to $5 billion annually to the continent’s economy by 2025, growing by 15% annually over the next decade,” Odiba noted, citing a 2021 African Development Bank report.
He emphasised the importance of translating scientific discoveries into implementable solutions that address Africa’s specific challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Odiba noted the significant strides African scientists are making in areas such as drug discovery, agricultural biotechnology, and climate change mitigation.
He pointed to the work of internationally acclaimed Nigerian-American oncologist, Professor Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, whose research on genetic mutations in African populations has opened new doors for targeted breast cancer therapies.
Reflecting on his own research, Odiba described his recent work using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to genetically engineer the C. elegans model organism.
“We mutated and generated transgenes of key genes, including rad-54.B, mage-1, and nse-1, which are implicated in various cancers. These models serve as valuable tools for studying the role of these genes in disease pathways,” he said.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the migration of highly skilled African professionals to more developed countries, Odiba stressed that this phenomenon could be a double-edged sword.
“The migration of African talent should not be seen solely as a loss. When these professionals return, they bring invaluable knowledge that can foster indigenous innovation,” he explained.
Drawing from his own experience, Odiba shared how his postgraduate training in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology abroad has opened his eyes to the vast opportunities for biotechnology innovation in Africa.
He called for greater efforts to encourage professionals to return and invest their expertise in the continent, citing initiatives like the African Science Academy, which connects diaspora scientists with local institutions.
Odiba also highlighted the challenges African institutions face, including underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to advanced technology.
He emphasised the need for sustained support to institutions like the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, the UNESCO International Center for Biotechnology in Nsukka, and the National Biotechnology Development Agency.
“These institutions, along with universities and research centers across the continent, are positioned to lead Africa’s biotechnology revolution, but they require investment to realize their full potential”, Dr. Odiba, said, urging African governments and the private sector to prioritize funding and infrastructure development in the biosciences.
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