DNALC Nigeria: A Dream in Full Bloom, and a Vision Taking Shape

At the heart of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, a quiet revolution in science education is unfolding. The DNA Learning Center Nigeria (DNALC Nigeria) the first of its kind in Africa  is expanding far beyond expectations, setting an inspiring precedent for molecular biology training on the continent.

Once a modest initiative inspired by the globally renowned Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center, New York, DNALC Nigeria has now grown into a bustling hub of discovery, innovation, and mentorship. This week, the center has reached full capacity, its laboratories are alive with activity, and every corner, including the Prep Room, now serves as a training ground for the next generation of scientists.

According to Mr. Michael Okoro, the Deputy Director of DNALC Nigeria, this moment represents “a dream come true for the Center.” His words reflect not just pride in the center’s rapid growth, but also a deep resonance with the vision of Dr. Dave Micklos, the Founding Director of DNALC New York, who envisioned a network of learning centers that would democratize molecular biology education and empower young scientists globally.

“What we are witnessing today in Enugu,” Okoro explained, “is the embodiment of that vision, Africa’s participation in shaping the global biotechnology frontier. The fact that every lab is full, that our students are hungry for knowledge, and that hands-on science has become a culture here,  that’s the dream Dr. Micklos had decades ago now thriving on Nigerian soil.”

Classes and Hands-on laboratory session going on in the prep room.

Indeed, DNALC Nigeria is not merely training students; it is transforming mindsets. The center’s programs have attracted students, researchers, and professionals from across the country, who come to experience cutting-edge training in molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Through partnerships and workshops such as Genomics Gateway, Summer Professional Courses, professional Course for Medical Students and Nursing students, as well as many more,  the center is cultivating a new generation of scientists, one capable of driving Africa’s scientific renaissance.

Yet, amidst this unprecedented success, there looms a new challenge: space. The growing demand for DNALC Nigeria’s programs has outstripped its current facilities, prompting the need for expansion. And that’s where the Science City Project comes in, a bold and visionary development designed to house world-class laboratories, innovation studios, and collaborative research spaces.

When completed, the Science City will not only ease current infrastructural constraints but also position DNALC Nigeria as a continental powerhouse for biotechnology education, capable of hosting hundreds, even thousands of students and researchers. It represents a future where every curious mind has the tools and mentorship to explore the living code of life.

Full capacity Classes and Hands-On Laboratory session on both our Molecular and Bioformatic Labs

This milestone serves as both a celebration and a reminder. A celebration of how far the center has come, and a reminder that the journey is far from over. The growing hum of students at the benches, the excitement of first-time DNA extraction, and the gleam of discovery in young scientists’ eyes all echo the same truth: ‘the quest to revolutionize science education in Africa is alive and thriving.’

The DNA Learning Center Nigeria has not just grown in capacity; it has grown in purpose, in reach, and in the magnitude of its dreams. And as the Science City rises, one thing remains certain, the DNALC vision to “bring science to life for every learner” is not just being realized; it’s being redefined right here in Nigeria.