Professor Uduma Uduma, Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, has described the partnership with the National Bio Safety Management Agency as a strategic collaboration built on shared values, including scientific integrity, environmental sustainability, public safety, and national development.
The Vice Chancellor, represented by Professor Christine Ofule, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Technology, Innovation and Research, made the statement during a ‘Train the Trainers Capacity Building Programme’ on Bio Safety, Bio Security, Bio Risk Management, Waste Management, and Community Engagement organised in collaboration with NBMA in Abuja.
"NOUN, as the largest Open and Distance Learning institution in West Africa, is committed to expanding access to quality education while promoting research that addresses national priorities. In an era of rapidly advancing biotechnology, genetic research, and modern agricultural innovations, bio safety has become a critical national and global concern. They help prevent harm to human health, protect biodiversity, and safeguard our ecosystems from unintended consequences," Professor Uduma stated.
He added that NBMA's commitment to safeguarding human health, biodiversity, and the environment aligns perfectly with NOUN's academic mission, noting that as a university committed to flexible learning, NOUN is well positioned to support nationwide awareness through online courses, professional development programmes, and community engagement initiatives.
Bello Bawa Bwari, Director General of NBMA, explained that the training comes at a critical time when advances in biotechnology and life sciences are rapidly transforming research, agriculture, medicine, and environmental management.
Bawa Bwari, represented by Dr Agha Ukpai Agha, Director of Bio Security at NBMA, emphasised the significance of the Train the Trainer model, noting that it equips participants with technical knowledge and skills to disseminate what was learnt within institutions, professional networks, and communities.
"These innovations bring tremendous opportunities for national development; they also require robust systems that ensure safety, responsibility, and public confidence in the technologies being deployed. NBMA remains firmly committed to strengthening national capacity to effectively manage potential biological risks," Bawa Bwari stated.
Professor Andrew Agbon, chairman of the Joint Working Group for the training, disclosed that the workshop fulfills the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between NOUN and NBMA on 29th October 2025, establishing a collaborative framework to enhance the capacity of NOUN students, academic staff, and NBMA staff through faculty internship opportunities, professional development programmes, and joint initiatives in biosecurity.
