Building Bridges of Understanding: Enhancing Communication Strategy on Genome Editing in Nigeria

Genome editing (GEd) has been mired in confusion and low public understanding. The inadequacy of information and the society's comprehension capacity (especially in Africa) has created a thread across this important field. This paper explores the critical need for effective communication strategies to disseminate genome editing technologies in Africa, using Nigeria as a case study. GEd represents a transformative approach to addressing significant challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. However, the successful adoption of GEd hinges on society's understanding and acceptance of its implications. This study assesses the readiness of selected African countries, existing communication practices and identifies gaps that hinder effective stakeholder engagement. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, an assessment of the policy framework, and stakeholder mapping, we propose a structured communication framework to navigate Nigeria's socio-cultural context. The novel, tailor-made framework emphasises transparency, public engagement, and the integration of diverse communication channels to enhance awareness and understanding of genome editing. The framework focused on adopting a product-based communication strategy. By fostering dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and the general public, this paper contributes to developing inclusive policies that leverage the full potential of genome-editing technologies for socio-economic advancement in Nigeria and beyond.