Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Thursday inaugurated the permanent site of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre at Yobe State University, Damaturu, saying the facility would strengthen medical research and innovation in the state.
Buni said the state government invested over N800m in the construction of the centre, also known as BioRTC, describing it as a major step towards positioning the university as a hub for biomedical research and international collaboration.
Speaking at the commissioning, the governor said the centre was designed to build capacity in biomedical sciences, support advanced research and close gaps in Africa’s medical research ecosystem.
According to him, much of Africa’s medical research has relied on findings from foreign environments that do not always reflect local realities.
“Africa has relied for too long on medical research conducted in different climates, environments, cultures, and lifestyles, often without adequate consideration for our peculiarities and genetic diversity,” the governor said.
He added that the facility would promote research that is accurate, inclusive and tailored to African health challenges.
The governor also disclosed plans by his administration to establish an additional dialysis centre in Gashua before the end of the year, noting that it would ease the burden of travel for kidney patients in the area.
“We have continued to support dialysis services, and the new centre in Gashua will reduce the hardship of long-distance travel for patients,” he said.
Buni further revealed that more than 1,000 participants from Yobe State, other parts of Nigeria and across Africa had benefited from BioRTC’s training programmes, including summer schools and workshops, fully funded by the state government.
At the event, the governor announced a N30m cash award and full government scholarships for three Yobe indigenes who emerged winners at the TeenEagle 2025 competition held in London, United Kingdom.
The beneficiaries — Nafisa Abdullahi, Hadiza Kashim Kalli and Rukayya Mohammed Fema — are students of Nigerian Tulip International College who reportedly outperformed over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries.
Each of the students received N10m and was awarded a scholarship up to tertiary level.
“Their success reflects our sustained investment in education and human capital development,” he said.
He added that the state currently spends over N2.6bn annually on scholarships for 890 students at Nigerian Tulip International College, including the three TeenEagle champions.
Earlier, the Founder and Director of BioRTC, Prof. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, said the centre had attracted equipment donations worth over N10bn, providing a strong foundation for advanced research.
Also speaking, Prof. Amadi O. Ihunwo of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa said the centre was equipped with facilities for advanced cellular, molecular and neuroscience research that are rarely found in many African universities.
