ABUJA – May 14, 2025
Public health and agricultural experts have called for an immediate ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria, citing growing evidence of health, environmental, and economic risks associated with their use.
The call was made during a sensitization seminar for journalists held in Abuja, where Director General of the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, Dr. Qrissturberg Amua, warned that the unchecked proliferation of GMOs could expose Nigeria to long-term dangers.
Amua described GMOs as a potential “Trojan Horse for biowarfare,” emphasizing the lack of comprehensive risk assessments and weak regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s current approach to biotechnology in agriculture.
According to Amua, several chronic health conditions—such as gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, infertility, cancers, and neurodegenerative illnesses—have seen a rise in countries like the United States since the 1990s, a period that coincided with the widespread adoption of GMO foods.
“Data suggests troubling correlations between the introduction of GMO products and the increasing incidence of serious health conditions,” he said.
Beyond public health, Amua raised concerns about the economic implications of GMOs, particularly their impact on Nigeria’s food sovereignty. He warned that multinational corporations could use patent protections and regulatory loopholes to dominate seed markets, pushing smallholder farmers to the margins.
He also criticized the 2021 Seed Variety Act, arguing that it could criminalize traditional seed-saving practices and entrench the dominance of foreign agribusiness interests in Nigeria’s food system.
Echoing his views, Segun Adebayo of the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory dismissed claims that GMOs are the answer to food insecurity. He instead advocated for investment in sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices.
“Nigeria must learn from the experiences of other nations where GMOs have not delivered on their promises and have instead introduced new threats,” Adebayo said.
The experts jointly urged the National Assembly to amend the National Biosafety Management Agency Act to prohibit the promotion and cultivation of genetically modified crops in Nigeria.
They emphasized the need for a cautious and people-centered approach to agricultural development—one that prioritizes public health, ecological integrity, and food independence over corporate profit.
