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Shenzhen Technology University, China; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; and AMA Medical Manufacturing Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence and other disciplines.
The Nigerian Ambassador to China, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, disclosed the development in a post on X.
Present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Zaria, Professor Ahmed Adamu; the Chairman of AMA Medical Manufacturing Limited, Dr Abdulsalami Nasidi; the Chair of the Academic Committee of the Institute for Global Health and Microbiome, SZTU, and also Chair of the Academic Committee of the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and former Director-General of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Professor Fu Gao; the Secretary of the Party Committee of SZTU, Chen Qiuming; and the President of SZTU, Fu Jiyang.
The former Chief of Army Staff said: “I travelled to Shenzhen, a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Beijing, to witness the signing of a MoU between Shenzhen Technology University (SZTC), China and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Nigeria, and AMA Medical Manufacturing Limited, Nigeria.
“This is the kind of partnership I have been calling for: a partnership between the Academia and Industries. In this case, both SZTC and ABU focus on R and D, with SZTC providing the bulk of technology, while AMA focus on manufacturing.
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“This tripartite cooperation will focus on biomedical sciences, AI, and other disciplines.”
The former Minister of Interior also said specific areas of cooperation included the development of pharmaceuticals and vaccines for local needs in Nigeria; clinical research in Nigeria; talent development and exchange; commercial cooperation in local manufacturing, packaging and distribution; and biomedical research infrastructure development at ABU.
“This signing demonstrated our shared commitment to innovation and development between Nigeria and China. It took place within the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) under which both countries built strong partnerships in public health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and human capital development,” Dambazau further said.
The Nigerian envoy added that, despite the delay experienced at the airport and even while landing due to bad weather, he found the journey of almost four hours, instead of the normal two hours-plus, worth the while.
“We ended the visit by taking a tour to the BYD electric vehicle manufacturer showroom…. SZTU, a public institution established by Guandong Province and Shenzhen Municipality, is only ten years old, but one can only imagine the extent of its achievements in terms of infrastructure, staffing, and equipment,” he stated.
