The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting the biotechnology sector.
This memorandum of understanding was signed by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and RAHAD Industries and Mesencell Biotechnology. On the occasion, the Director General of NABDA, Abdullahi Mustapha, said that this memorandum of understanding marks the beginning of a new chapter in the field of scientific biotechnology in Nigeria.
Mr. Mustapha indicated that NABDA is an agency that uses biotechnology to promote development in the country, noting that RAHAD is a company that involves biotechnology, research and development.
“More than a year ago, we had signed the memorandum of understanding through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with the said companies”, he recalled, specifying that ” the memorandum of understanding is for the development of technologies that they have already brought to the country”.
“Part of the deal is to domesticate the technology here in the country so that we have first-hand skills,” he continued, noting that “scientists and researchers will be properly trained in the use of these technologies in the country”.
For his part, Chbihi Drias, managing director of RAHAD Global Investment Limited, said that a subsidiary of his group had developed four important technologies for Nigeria.
Mr. Drias said that these technologies include biotechnology for cleaning tank farms and the soil bioreactor against pollution.
“Others are biotech fertilizers to reduce the use of chemicals and increase cultivable land for self-sufficiency in consumables and fertilizer products,” he explained.
“Other technologies include wastewater treatment to provide high quality drinking water and avoid sewage-borne diseases that cause pollution, namely regenerative medicine, immunotherapy and vaccines for Nigeria and West Africa,” he said.
Morocco and Nigeria had signed, last October in Abuja, a memorandum of understanding for the research and development of biotechnological products and processes, including the production of bio-fertilizers and bio-fungicides.
Rahad Global Investment Limited signed the agreement on behalf of Morocco, while the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation signed on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Rahad Global Investment Limited is the Nigerian subsidiary of the Moroccan company RVD Equipment Industries.
The agreement covers a variety of research and development efforts in numerous biotechnology products, including drinking water and wastewater treatment.
Other areas are gas treatment, sulfur dioxide reduction, soil biodegradation, use of stem cells for diabetics and cancer-related diseases.