Experts in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have identified precision medicine, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven research and increased investment in science and innovation as essential to addressing Africa’s healthcare, food security and sustainable development challenges.
This consensus emerged at the 42nd Scientific Conference and Annual General Assembly of the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), hosted by the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), from July 6th to 10th, 2026. The conference was themed “Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for Peace, Health, Food Security, and Climate-Smart Sustainable Development in the AI Era.”
Delivering the opening plenary lecture on the 7th of July 2026 titled “Personalised/Precision Medicine in Africa,” Emeritus Professor of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Secretary, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mohamed Parker described precision medicine as a transformative approach that tailors disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment to an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle and environmental factors, replacing the traditional one-size-fits-all model of healthcare.
Professor Parker observed that although Africa is home to the world’s greatest genetic diversity, it contributes less than two per cent of global human genome databases, limiting the effectiveness of precision medicine for African populations. He advocated the establishment of comprehensive African genomic databases and called for greater investment in research, healthcare infrastructure, human capacity development and scientific innovation. He also noted that Nigeria currently invests only about 0.30 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in research and development, urging governments and African philanthropists to significantly increase funding for scientific research.
Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Mohammed Abubakar, represented by the President of the Federation of African Societies of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and former President of NSBMB, Professor Suleman Bilbis, described the conference as a vital platform for advancing molecular biology research and promoting environmental sustainability. He commended FUTA for successfully hosting the conference and encouraged participants to generate practical solutions that would contribute to building a scientifically advanced and self-reliant Africa.
Representing the Governor of Ondo State, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, applauded FUTA for its outstanding contributions to teaching, research and innovation. He described the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, as a visionary leader whose administration has continued to record remarkable achievements, expressing confidence that the conference would produce outcomes beneficial to Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan African region.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, said the increasingly complex challenges confronting humanity require interdisciplinary collaboration. She noted that Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, strengthened by artificial intelligence and computational tools, are accelerating drug discovery, improving diagnostics, enhancing crop resilience and nutrition, and expanding understanding of the molecular basis of diseases and environmental stressors. She also urged senior academics to mentor younger researchers to ensure the sustainability of scientific excellence and innovation.
President of NSBMB, Professor Matthew Wegwu, said the conference theme reflects pressing global realities, including insecurity, disease burden, fragile food systems and climate change, while recognising the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery. He highlighted the contributions of Nigerian scientists in vaccine development, bioremediation, climate-smart agriculture and metabolomics, reaffirming the Society’s commitment to developing innovative solutions to national, continental and global challenges.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Clement Akinmoladun emphasised that Biochemistry and Molecular Biology remain central to advancements in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, nutrition, environmental sustainability and industrial development. He called for stronger partnerships that would accelerate scientific breakthroughs and strengthen the discipline across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
The conference attracted researchers, academics, policymakers, industry experts and students from across Nigeria and other countries to deliberate on emerging scientific innovations and collaborative strategies aimed at promoting peace, improving healthcare, strengthening food security and advancing climate-smart sustainable development in the era of artificial intelligence.