Ignore anti-GMO propaganda, approved varieties are safe – NBMA tells Nigerians
KANO (North-West, Nigeria) — The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has urged Nigerians to disregard misinformation and propaganda against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), assuring the public that all approved GMO products in the country are safe for human consumption, animals and the environment.
The Acting Director of Enforcement and Operations of the agency, Hauwa Tahir, gave the assurance during a one-day media training for journalists from the North-West and North-Central, organised by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
Tahir disclosed that only three genetically modified crops — cotton, cowpea and TELA maize — have so far been approved for commercial cultivation in Nigeria after undergoing rigorous scientific and regulatory assessments.
She stressed that the agency subjects every GMO application to stringent evaluation before granting approval, insisting that no product reaches the market without meeting internationally accepted biosafety standards.
“I am assuring you that anything in the market approved by the NBMA is safe for humans, animals and the environment. We do not sit in our offices and approve products without thorough scientific scrutiny,” she said.
According to her, the agency carefully reviews research dossiers submitted by institutions, conducts detailed risk assessments and follows strict regulatory procedures to ensure public safety.
Tahir also appealed to journalists to support efforts aimed at building public confidence in Nigeria’s biosafety regulatory system through factual and balanced reporting.
Speaking at the event, agricultural biotechnology expert, Dr. Muhammad Yahaya, said genetically modified crops were not entirely new, describing the technology as an advancement of conventional plant breeding.
He explained that GMOs help farmers protect their crops against pests and diseases, reduce dependence on harmful chemical pesticides and ultimately increase agricultural productivity.
“GMOs are an extension of what humans have been doing for centuries through selective breeding, but with more precise scientific tools,” Yahaya said.
He urged journalists to embrace evidence-based reporting to counter misconceptions surrounding biotechnology and help Nigerians make informed decisions.
Earlier, the organiser of the training, Yakubu Dodo, said the programme was designed to equip journalists with accurate information on agricultural biotechnology to improve public understanding and assure consumers of the safety of approved GMO products in Nigeria.
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