Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief. Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, delivering his Keynote address at the Press briefing on the Commercial Release of the Tela Maize by the National Biotechnology Agency (NABDA) in Abuja.

To boost food security in the country, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has urged all stakeholders within the Agricultural value chain to embrace the commercial release of  Tela Maize crop varieties.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji who gave this advice in Abuja said Tela Maize and other crops in the country if embraced will  revolutionize the nation’s agricultural productivity and fortify the country’s food security.

Nnaji described Tela Maize as transgenic drought tolerant and insect protected maize varieties that will enhance food security in sub Saharan Africa, adding that

the release of the crops will also increase crop  yield, enhance resilience to pest and disease, reduce environmental impact and improve nutritional content for health benefits of the citizenry of the country.

According to the Minister, on 11th January 2024, the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries, approved the commercial release of Tela Maize along with other high yielding crop varieties at its 33rd National meeting for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology ( NACGRAB) held in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

Chief Nnaji said this at the Press Briefing on the commercial release of Tela Maize at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in Abuja.

He stated that the commercial release of the crops exemplifies the Ministry’s commitment towards harnessing the power of biotechnology to address  pressing agricultural challenges, enhance crop resilience as well as improve the livelihoods of the farmers and citizens of the country.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs  Esuabana Nko-Asanye  said that the commercial release of Tela Maize will advance one of  President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is poverty alleviation and food security for the Nigerian populace.

She further said that farmers in the country will not be able to enjoy this new research output that the Ministry has been able to discover  without addressing the issue of insecurity in the country which is a great hindrance to farming and agricultural sector.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that the Agency will not relent in its efforts towards the technological development of the nation especially in the area of food security.

He affirmed that with the commercial release of Tela Maize, farmer’s acceptability will be hundred percent assured.