Morocco, Nigeria Sign Biotechnology Development Agreement

Nigeria and Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding for research and development in biotechnolog­ical products and processes.
The National Biotechnology Development Agency is also involved in the research, which includes the production of bio-fertilizer and bio-fungicide (NABDA).

NABDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdullahi Mustapha, stated that the work includes “potable water, wastewater treatment, disinfectants, gas treatment, reduction of sulphur dioxide, soil biodegradation, sulphur reducing bacteria, application of stem cells for diabetics and cancer-related diseases, among other things.”

“the agreement, which was one of the outcomes of President Muhammadu Buhari’s state visit to Morocco in 2018, intends to cover a variety of research and development efforts into numerous biotechnological products.”

Concerning COVID-19 vaccines, Mustapha stated that such vaccines involved rigorous processes and procedures, emphasizing that research on vaccine technology production “has reached an advanced stage.”

Ogbonnaya Onu, Nigeria’s Minister of Science, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in October that “it is critical for the two countries to cooperate in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI).”

The minister stated that his government is willing to use STI to fully exploit Nigeria’s abundant natural resources in order to increase employment and GDP.

Morocco’s efforts to expand South-South cooperation resulted in renewed diplomatic talks with the foreign ministers of Nigeria and Djibouti in May.

Following the signing of a new fertilizer-related partnership worth $1.3 billion, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his gratitude to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI (MAD 11.7 billion).

Meanwhile, Morocco and Nigeria, as emerging economies and African leaders on many fronts, have significant advantages in a variety of sectors, including energy.

Since its inception in December 2016, the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project has advanced at a rapid pace. The project has progressed to the second phase of front-end engineering design in less than five years.