• NAFDAC assures on GMO safety, urges vigilance on unregulated foods
• ‘GMOs can boost food security, medicinal plant development’
Public misconceptions, patchy regulatory enforcement, and an undercurrent of mistrust are keeping Nigeria’s debate over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) alive, despite assurances from regulatory authorities and scientists.
While advocates highlight their potential in boosting food security and enhancing medicinal plant development, critics point to weak oversight, inadequate labelling, and the risk of unregulated products in informal markets.
Critics also insist that without transparent labelling, stronger oversight, and dedicated organic markets, Nigerians are left to navigate their food choices in the dark. One of the groups, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), called on the Federal Government to ban GMOs and establish organic markets following concerns over the non-labelling of foods sold in supermarkets and other markets.
According to the group, in developed countries, food shelves are labelled to enlighten consumers on the dangers or otherwise of products they are buying, which is not obtainable in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, recently maintained that GMOs are not harmful when they meet safety standards established by competent authorities. She said the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is charged with certifying the safety and quality of GMO foods before they enter the market, while NAFDAC works with NBMA under a memorandum of understanding to ensure such products are fit for consumption.
Adeyeye explained that certain GMO crops, such as fast-maturing tomato varieties, are specifically designed to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses, which remain a challenge in Nigeria due to poor storage facilities. She acknowledged that concerns about the long shelf life of some produce are understandable, but stressed that biosafety assessments confirm whether preservation methods are safe.
Responding to public fears that GMOs could cause digestive issues or cancer, she said certified GMO foods are digested like any other product and do not pose health risks when properly approved. However, she warned that informal markets frequently sell unregulated food items, making consumer vigilance essential.
The Director of Programmes/Project Lead, Hunger Politics at HOMEF, Joyce Brown, said the first step towards assuring food safety for Nigerians “is to ban GMOs and recall those previously approved.”
According to her, labelling may not be possible in the Nigerian society because of its peculiarities. She added, “Labelling is not feasible with our socio-economic context, where most people buy food from open markets in baskets and basins. To make it worse, Nigeria does not have a law that supports open market labelling. However, we advocate the setting up of organic markets where people can be sure of healthy food.”
Clinical Nutritionist and digital health creator, Odukoya Fiyinfoluwa, called for greater public understanding of GMOs and stronger regulatory policies. He said misinformation and the absence of clear labelling are major barriers to informed consumer choices. Many Nigerians, he noted, do not fully understand what GMOs are or how they differ from organic products, resulting in confusion and poor decision-making.
Odukoya stressed that while current evidence supports the safety of GMOs, science is an evolving process, and findings could change as new research emerges. He urged that the GMO debate should not distract from other pressing food safety issues, such as proper packaging, accurate labelling, and efficient distribution. He urged the government to implement policies that clearly distinguish between organic, GMO, and non-GMO foods.
Explaining the difference between organic and GMO products, he clarified that organic farming avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, relying instead on natural fertilisers such as manure and cow dung, with seeds and farming practices kept chemical-free.
Also speaking on the subject, Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, warned against the blanket condemnation of GMOs. He noted that GMOs have significant benefits in agriculture, medicine, and environmental management, particularly in addressing global food security challenges.
Emeje explained that genetic modification is not limited to laboratory techniques, as natural genetic changes also occur in plants and animals without human intervention. He stressed that such modifications could improve crop yields, enhance resistance to pests and drought, and even increase the medicinal properties of plants.
Addressing safety concerns, Emeje pointed out that many people already consume GMO products without knowing it. He said the key issue was regulation and professional oversight. Drawing an analogy, he noted that even water could be deadly if consumed in excess, emphasising that proper use and moderation were critical in all things.
NNMDA, he revealed, is engaged in advanced research with De Montfort University in the United Kingdom, focusing on the bio-authentication of medicinal plants using DNA analysis. This process, he explained, allows scientists to detect even the slightest changes in a plant’s genetic makeup and assess whether such changes are beneficial or harmful.
According to Emeje, genetic modification, like any technology, has both potential benefits and risks, underscoring the importance of scientific evaluation, strict regulation, and public education in ensuring safety and maximising its advantages.
