Biotechnology Society of Nigeria’s 32nd international conference underway in Ibadan

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The 32nd annual international biotechnology conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) is currently taking place in Ibadan, Nigeria under the theme: “Biotechnology to Enhance Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa.” The event was keynoted by the Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Yemi Akinbamijo, who called for “more science in politics and less politics in science.”

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the conference, President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) Benjamin Ubi noted that the Society was committed towards tackling the challenges of biotechnology research through collective actions aimed at shaping policies around biotechnology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, within the context of food and nutrition security.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to his office by a BSN delegation comprising of members of the Society’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Council (NEC) led by Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, the Director-General of the Ibadan-based International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Dr Nteranya Sanginga called on the BSN to be the voice of Africa on the global biotechnology landscape.

“While thanking the BSN for choosing IITA to host this year’s conference, Sanginga expressed satisfaction at the level of competency in biotechnology research in Nigeria, which he said, has effectively placed the country in leadership position in biotechnology in Africa,” said a press statement by BSN.

“In his remarks, Tenebe thanked IITA for accepting to host the conference and assured the director general of the continuous support of the society in mainstreaming biotechnology in the country’s agricultural research for development,” the statement added.

The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) is the apex professional biotechnology body in Nigeria focused on promoting biotechnology research, innovation, and advancements across universities, research institutes, government agencies, industries as well as the global community. The body provides a platform for the exchange of ideas among Nigerian scientists from various scientific backgrounds on the concept and application of modern biotechnology through engagements including conferences, training workshops, exhibitions and publications.