In a move aimed towards strengthening bioethics governance in Nigeria, the UNESCO Assisting Bioethics Committees (ABC) Project team, alongside members of Nigeria's Bioethics Committee, convened for a high-level meeting to discuss the strategic progress of the bioethics committee since its establishment. The delegation, led by Prof. Abdullahi Mustafa, Chairman of the Bioethics Committee and Director-General of the National Biotechnology and Research Development Agency (NABRDA), explored new avenues for collaboration and outlined the next steps for formalizing this partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In his address, Prof. Mustafa highlighted key achievements, particularly following Nigeria's revitalization of global partnerships at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He stressed the importance of these alliances with major development organizations, including UNESCO and other UN bodies, in shaping the future of bioethics in Nigeria.
"For the first time in our nation’s history, the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology was prominently represented on the global stage,” Prof. Mustafa noted, recognizing the pivotal role of the Ministry in advancing Nigeria’s position on the global bioethics front. “This milestone is a direct result of the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he added, emphasizing the administration's commitment to enhancing Nigeria's role in global scientific and ethical discussions.
The meeting marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to create a robust framework for bioethics, reinforcing its commitment to ethical standards in science, biotechnology, and innovation, both at home and on the world stage.
