Nigeria, UN partner to boost bioethics development

• Published On: 14 December 2024 at 20:17

The Federal Government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization are preparing to strengthen their collaboration on bioethics development in Nigeria through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Bioethics refers to the ethical principles and guidelines that govern scientific research and technological advances in biotechnology and life sciences, with an emphasis on human health, safety, and welfare.

Nnaji stated that the agreement aims to build on the successes of Nigeria's Bioethics Committee since its inception.

He emphasized the significance of the collaboration, saying it demonstrates Nigeria's commitment to ethical innovation and scientific advancement.

The statement was issued following a visit by the UNESCO Assisting Bioethics Committees Project team, Bioethics Committee members, and the National Biotechnology and Research Development Agency's Director-General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustafa.

Prof. Marie-Genevieve Pinsart and Dafna Feinholz, Director of UNESCO's Division of Science and Technology Ethics, were among the delegation members.

Nnaji stated that the visit highlighted the importance of continuing to work collaboratively with international organizations to strengthen Nigeria's bioethical framework.

"For the first time in our nation's history, the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology was prominently represented on the global stage, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu," he told the audience.

The minister stated that this milestone has resulted in significant gains for Nigeria's innovation, science, and technology sectors.

Nnaji emphasized that UNESCO's commitment to building Nigeria's bioethics capacity through training and collaboration is consistent with a common vision for scientific and ethical progress.