Group wants Nigeria to rethink GMO approvals

A group of environmental, agricultural, and civil society organizations has called on the Nigerian government to halt new approvals of Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs, in the country.

They are also asking the government to review existing approvals. Their concerns include biosafety, public health, biodiversity, and farmers’ rights.

The group made their request in a statement released after the National Conference on Biosafety and Agroecology held on Monday in Abuja.

The conference included representatives from federal ministries, regulators, farmers, researchers, civil society groups, and legal experts. They looked at the growing approval and commercialization of genetically modified crops in Nigeria, like Bt Cowpea, TELA Maize, and new transgenic cotton varieties.

Participants expressed worries about the effects of GMOs on biosafety, environmental safety, food sovereignty, public health, and farmers’ rights, according to the statement.

They also urged the federal government to place a hold on new GMO approvals until independent, long-term studies are done. This includes feeding trials, environmental impact assessments, and social impact studies.

An independent review of past approvals is also part of their demands. This is to ensure that they comply with the National Biosafety Management Act and follow the precautionary principle.

Other suggestions included improving public agricultural research and extension services, protecting indigenous seed systems, supporting community seed banks, phasing out dangerous pesticides, and increasing funds for agroecological research and training.

The use of GM crops has been a hot topic among food system experts in Nigeria, creating two opposing sides. Supporters believe that this technology can increase food production and improve food security. Critics are worried that it might bring environmental and health risks and have pointed out weak regulatory enforcement and poor labeling.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications says that more than 30 major food crops have been genetically modified worldwide.

Nigeria has approved four crops, maize, cowpea, cotton, and soybean, for commercial use and is one of six African countries leading in biotech crop adoption.

In 2024, the government approved four types of TELA maize, sparking more debates about the safety of GM crops and transparency.

Some downsides include farmers’ limited understanding of GM seed features, potential reliance on seed companies, and the overall impact on traditional farming methods.

An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and international partners in 2024 showed how the U.S. government, through USAID, funded campaigns promoting pesticides and GMOs in Nigeria. This included efforts that targeted GMO critics.

In March, the National Biosafety Management Agency ordered a stop to four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria.

These varieties are MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, and BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002. They were reportedly registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds, and Fisheries on March 26, 2026, without the necessary approval from the NBMA.

The agency said its compliance checks found "serious compliance abnormalities" in the varieties.

The suspension of these new cotton varieties highlights ongoing issues with compliance and oversight in Nigeria’s biotechnology sector.

The conference noted that Nigeria’s food security problems need "people-centered and sustainable solutions" instead of just relying on technology.

Participants also raised concerns about loss of biodiversity, genetic contamination of local seed varieties, monoculture farming, reliance on pesticides, and the lack of long-term studies on GM crops.

The statement pointed out that proprietary seed systems could harm farmers’ rights to save, share, and improve seeds. This could affect rural livelihoods and local food systems.

It also mentioned that current biosafety regulations need more transparency, accountability, scientific rigor, and real public involvement.

The conference highlighted the serious risks of using dangerous pesticides, warning they threaten human health, biodiversity, soil fertility, and water resources.

It supported agroecology as a good option for sustainable farming, noting it can improve soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and farmers’ livelihoods.

Participants said that farmers, especially women and young people, face challenges like lack of access to land, finance, information, and technology.

In conclusion, attendees said that ecological sustainability, food sovereignty, public accountability, social justice, and the well-being of current and future generations should guide Nigeria’s food and agricultural policies.