Center for Biotechnology Research and Training
The Biotechnology Research Project of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria was initiated, when a letter was sent to the Sole Administrator on 9th March, 1997 on the need for Biotechnology laboratory at Ahmadu Bello University signed by Jacob Kwaga on behalf of S. Ibrahim, U.S AbduUahi and David Ogwu. The Proposal was approved in principle by the Sole Administrator on 11th March, 1997.
Advisory Committee on establishment of Biotechnology Laboratory was constituted by Registrar vide letter ref. RlORG/48 dated 16th October, 1998, consisting of 8 members and a secretary.
A Central Bank of Nigeria's contribution to capacity building through the Nigerian University System, amounting to N25 million was received on 16th November, 1998, which was earmarked for development of the Centre.
Following submission of the Committee's Report, a Forum on Biotechnology Research and Training of stakeholders was held on July 19, 1999. The purpose was to discuss the concept, priori~ areas for development, list of research equipment, etc. for proposed Centre.
A Project Coordinator, Technical Implementation Committee, and various working groups were appointed in October, 1999.
Effectively, Professor J. K. P. Kwaga was appointed Coordinator in 1999. The Project's secretariat Qffice then began temporarily in Department of Veterinary Public Health & Preventive Medicine, on 17th October, 2000 with Mr. S. K. Yashim as Secretary to the Coordinator. The project office finally moved to its present permanent site in February, 2004.
Professor A. J. Nok took over as Coordinator in February 2002, when Prof. Kwaga was appointed, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Adamawa State University. Prof. Nok worked hard and successfully completed the Biotechnology Research Project, which was commissioned by the Central Bank Governor, Chief (Dr) Joseph O. Sanusi (con) on the 10th May, 2004 and the project was renamed "CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND TRAINING (CBRT)". The governor was impressed by efforts of Prof. Nok and the research facilities in place, he donated additional N10 million to the Centre. After four (4) months of commissioning, Prof. A. A Ahmad took over from Prof. Nok as Coordinator in August, 2004, followed by Dr. S. Ibrahim in August, 2005. Professor A. J. Nok is now the Director of the Centre.