Nigeria’s biotech agency affirms GMOs are safe for human health and the environment, pledging rigorous oversight and public education efforts.

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has assured Nigerians that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) approved for use in the country are safe for human health and the environment, despite rising public concern and misinformation.

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In a statement issued on Monday, Director-General of the NBRDA, Abdullahi Mustapha, addressed the ongoing public debate on GMOs, stressing that scientific research and regulatory frameworks globally — and within Nigeria — guarantee their safety.

“Our top priority is the well-being of Nigerians. We will never compromise public health or safety in the pursuit of innovation,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha emphasised that the NBRDA is committed to evidence-based engagement and research-driven advocacy, noting that widespread fear around GMOs often stems from ignorance and misinformation.

He clarified that no GMO product is allowed into circulation in Nigeria without undergoing rigorous biosafety assessments by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

“It is important for Nigerians to know that GMOs are safe. Around the world, they have been researched for decades, regulated by international standards, and tested extensively,” he added.

The NBRDA’s statement aligns with findings by major international bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), all of which have declared that approved GMOs pose no higher risk to human health than conventional crops.

To rebuild trust and dispel myths, Mustapha revealed that the agency has ramped up its stakeholder engagement programmes.

These include:

• Farmer education and training
• Field demonstrations and open forums
• Youth-targeted outreach
• Civil society dialogues and scientific workshops

“Through training programmes and open dialogue, we are actively countering misinformation with facts,” he said.

The agency reiterated its role as a promoter of innovative biotechnology research in agriculture, health, industry, and environmental sustainability — all within the bounds of human safety, transparency, and accountability.

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“Biotechnology is a tool for progress. When guided by science and regulated responsibly, it becomes a solution to hunger, disease, and environmental degradation,” Mustapha concluded.