Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Chairman of the National Bioethics Committee of Nigeria (NBEC), has emphasised the importance of the collaboration between Nigeria and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on bioethics.
This partnership aims to uphold ethical standards in Nigeria, ensuring that scientific advancements align with societal values and respect for human rights.
Mustapha, who is the Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), said this at the opening ceremony of the NBEC training yesterday (Monday, December 9) in Abuja, the FCT.
The NBEC serves as an advisory body to the government, providing guidance on bioethical challenges in healthcare, biology and biomedical sciences.
According to Mustapha, the initial training of NBEC members by UNESCO is a crucial step in equipping the committee to effectively fulfil its responsibilities .
“The training will equip us with the necessary tools to address the ethical dilemmas that arise in our rapidly evolving world,” he said.
“Additionally, it will strengthen our capacity to provide sound, evidence-based recommendations to the government, institutions, and broader society on bioethics issues.”
The training programme is part of UNESCO’s global initiative to empower bioethics committees and ensure that ethical principles remain at the core of decision-making in innovation and research, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, Head of UNESCO Abuja, said.
“This programme is uniquely aligned with Nigeria’s national vision, as outlined in the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 Economic Transformation Blueprint, which aims to promote responsible scientific exploration and foster sustainable development.
“By doing so, we collectively affirm our commitment to ensuring that innovation and development across all sectors serve humanity, uphold ethical standards, and contribute positively to societal well-being,” Diallo said.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, represented by Mr Olayiwola Agoro, Deputy Director, Department of Bioresources, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, declared the training open.
Nnaji emphasised that the NBEC would help promote responsible and ethical conduct, providing guidance on ethical issues related to biotechnology, agriculture, education, environment, biomedical research, and health.
The minister highlighted the importance of the NBEC in providing guidance on the development of policies, guidelines, and regulations that promote ethical conduct and responsible innovations.
