National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology-

22/04/2026

THE ASURI, NACGRAB CHAPTER ORGANISED A 3 DAY TRAINING PROGRAM

The Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI), NACGRAB Chapter organized a 3-day intensive hands- on training in grantsmanship from 13th -15th of April, 2026. The program was aimed at equipping members with the skills to attract funding for research.

The program was facilitated by prof. S.A. Olakojo, Research Professor of Plant Breeding and Applied Genetics from Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR & T) Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

The Program was declared open by the Director of NACGRAB, Dr. A.U. Okere and in his opening remarks, he appreciated prof. S.A. Olakojo for making out time out of his busy schedule to expose research scientists to this rare opportunity. He further appreciated the readership of the union who have deem it fit to organize such topic of interest. He then urged members to participate fully in order to acquit themselves with the aims of which the program was organized.

Participants appreciated Prof S. A. Olakoja for his mentorship role and promised to take the Bull by the Horn as the program came to an end.

20/04/2026

MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and its Multilateral System are a global public good; vital for conserving, accessing and sharing the genetic diversity that sustains resilient food systems.

Full implementation in Nigeria; through accession, enabling legislation, straightened genebanks, protection of farmers’ rights, and active use of the SMTA (Standard Material Transfer Agreement); will speed crop improvement, boost climate adaptation and ensure equitable benefit sharing for smallholder farmers.

This is not just biodiversity policy but a strategic investment in national food security, sustainable livelihoods and agricultural innovation. We urge policymakers, research institutions and private sector partners to prioritize implementation now to safeguard Nigeria’s food future. 🌍🌱🤝🇳🇬🌾

ITPGRFA hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

11/04/2026

FG Registers and Releases 57 Crop Varieties and 1 chicken to Farmers

The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NVRC) has approved the registration and released 57 high yielding crop varieties and one chicken breed to farmers to boost food security and enhanced nutritional well-being.

The Approval was announced by the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. O.O. Olufajo at the 36th meeting of the Committee organized by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), on the 26th of March 2026 at Lafia Hall and Apartments, Apata, Ibadan.

The Approval of the releases were granted based on the recommendations of the Technical Sub-Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties Chaired by Prof S.G Ado and the Technical Sub-Committee on Naming Registration and Release of Livestock/ Breeds and Fisheries Chaied by Prof. W. Akin Hassan, to the NVRC.

The newly approved Crop/ chicken Varieties were bred by research institutes, private seed company and universities. The 57 varieties consist of 14 crops as follows: 1 variety each of soyabean, pepper, Sorghum and Potato; 2 yam varieties; 6 Onions varieties; 5 Tomatoes varieties; 5 Rice varieties; 3 Eggplant varieties; 4 varieties of Musa SPP; 6 Cotton varieties; 14 Maize varieties; 4 varieties each of groundnut and Cowpea.

The chicken was a locally developed meat-type chicken and was released and registered based on its unique characteristics of high body weight at 10-week, good carcass characteristics and tolerance to heat stress. Therefore, Prof Akin Hassan stated that there would be mass production of the breeds because of its potentials and commended animal geneticists and breeders who contributed to the success of the release.

Prof. Olufajo, therefore called on extension officers to ensure that farmers were aware of these new improved varieties for greater production in the country. He urged farmers to take advantage of the new improved varieties and charged institutions, breeders, geneticists and other stakeholders to keep up doing what would enhance the growth and development of agriculture in Nigeria.

The meeting had in attendance Committee members, farmers, researchers, breeders, geneticists and other relevant stakeholders.

24/03/2026

Samples of Crops being presented for consideration at the 40th meeting of Technical sub-Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breed and Fisheries

24/03/2026

Today, Tuesday the 24th of March 2026, the Technical sub-Committee on Naming Registration and Release of crop Varieties, Livestock Breed and Fisheries is holding its 40th meeting hosted by the Secretariate of National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan.

The meeting is aimed at presentation of nominations and consideration of crops varieties for registration and release to improve food security and nutritional value.

Currently, 14 crops of 59 varieties are being presented for consideration to the technical Committee.

10/02/2026

Dr. A.U. Okere, the Director of NACGRAB, continues to champion greater access to genetic resources-especially for farmers by strengthening links to the national genebank biodiversity.
Preserving today for food security tomorrow.

TRUST

15/11/2025

15/11/2025

NACGRAB TEAM VISITED AKUFO FARM SETTLEMENT

NACGRAB team, led by Dr. Ibidun Adetiloye, visited Akufo farm settlement, Oyo State to sensitize farmers on the Plant Treaty’s Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-Sharing.

Dr. Adetiloye explained how the system works, the benefits of voluntary inclusion, and how farmers can access and share materials. Farmers raised concerns about climate change and discussed resilient planting materials to help mitigate its effects.

We’re proud that many of the farmers are willing to donate their indigenous and farmer varieties to the National Genebank and the multilateral system — a big step for seed sovereignty and climate-resilient agriculture.

International -CIAT

18/10/2025

NIGERIA MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING ORGANIZE 2ND CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

The Multilateral System (MLS) of Access and Benefit Sharing is a unique global system created by the International Treaty on plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) that enables countries to exchange much-needed plant genetic materials with one another. It allows member countries to share and access a diverse pool of 64 important food and forage-crop genetic resources for research, breeding and training for food and agriculture.

The workshop which was jointly organized by National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) and Alliance Bioversity-CIAT aimed at strengthening the capacity of national organization for the implementation and use of the MLS of access and benefit-sharing of the international Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food and agriculture, and to deepen the understanding of the Plant Treaty MLS of Access and Benefit-Sharing and its Standard Materials Transfer Agreement (SMTA) for the benefit of scientists involve in the use of PGRFA as well as relevant stakeholders

The two-day workshop took place at the conference hall of NACGRAB on 2nd -3rd of October 2025. Participant for the workshop includes Breeders, Farmers, Seed system expects, Plant Genetic Resources experts, Genebank Curators, International Partners, Non-governmental Organization, Press men among others.

At the end of the workshop, stakeholders came up with ways to fast-track approval and implementation of the MLS of Access and Benefit-Sharing in Nigeria.

The program recommended that awareness should be expanded to universities and other institutions of higher learning, institutions involved in extension services and other agriculture-based institutes, Non-Governmental Organizations, farmers, policy makers, and legislature on the importance of MLS.

28/09/2025

VISIT OF NACGRAB USERS ENGAGEMENT TEAM

Recently, NACGRAB Users engagement team, Crop Trust Project , conducted field monitoring on Sorghum and Cowpea in Niger State to strengthening collaboration for resilient. crops.

24/09/2025

NACGRAB TEAM ATTENDS SIRGM5.0

NACGRAB team joined other stakeholders in the Livestock Sector at the Strategic Interest Research Group Meeting on Livestock Genetic Improvement (SIRGM 5.O) which was organized by the Centre for Genomics Research and Innovation (CGRI) in collaboration with the African Animal Breeding Network, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) / Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology and other local and international partners.

The fifth edition meeting of SIRGM took place at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan on the 11th -12th of September 2025. The program was conveyed to have a strategic discussion on the progress made on genetic improvement of Nigeria’s indigenous animals. Also, SIRGM has broadened its initial focus to include other species like chicken's swine, goat and sheep based on their species-specific Animal Genetic Resources Management requirements.

The overall objective of the program is to evaluate the genetic improvement needs of these species and use the appropriate adaptive assisted reproductive techniques to facilitate and support National animal breeding programs.

The meeting also looked at key issues on conservation of the breeding lines most especially the indigenous cattle to ensure that there is no total loss of the pure lines of our indigenous cattle