Nigeria To Boost Pharmaceutical Production By Partnering With Cuba

As part of the development of biotechnology for pharmaceutical production, the Nigerian Federal Government has expressed its willingness to partner itself with the Republic of Cuba.

Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), had disclosed such information when he received Mrs. Clara Escadel, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria on a courtesy call in Abuja. He mentioned that the development of biotechnology for pharmaceuticals would be facilitated and accelerated due to Nigeria’s youthful population.

Minister Onu explained that Nigerian youths, both at home and abroad, have reached the peaks of their careers in various technological endeavours. He added that along with the necessary skills, Nigerian youths could take the country to greater heights.

In his opinion, Nigeria is tackling a food insecurity as the country has now emerged as the largest producer and exporter of rice on the continent. He pointed out that cultivating yam in Nigeria, via the use biotechnology, was no longer just for food but also as a raw material for industries.

Mrs Escadel stated that her visit was to discuss Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming International Conference, Bio Habana 2022, which is scheduled to take place in Cuba from the 25th of April to the 29th of April 2022. She remarked on the relationship between the two countries, noting the tremendous opportunities that were abound in Nigeria.

Over the last two decades, Cuba has invested heavily in biotechnology centres, over the past 2 decades, which could make the island economically competitive despite the restrictive efforts made by its North American neighbour, the United States of America.

Biotechnology has now become one of Cuba’s main concentrations alongside their usual cornerstones being rum, tourism and tobacco.