Experts, Lawyers, Lawmakers Demand Total Ban On GMOs In Nigeria Amid Health, Environmental And Socio-Economic Concerns

In a heated public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatization & Commercialization, Public Assets, Science Engineering and Special Duties, experts, stakeholders, and lawmakers voiced strong opposition to the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.

The hearing, held in Abuja on Tuesday, 19th November 2024, highlighted significant concerns about the health, environmental, and socio-economic implications of GMOs, with many calling for an outright ban or at least a long-term moratorium on their use.

Government’s Position
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to food safety, stating, “The government will not deliberately bring what is poisonous to the people.” He noted that regulatory agencies are conducting tests to ensure food safety but called for collaboration between stakeholders to find a balanced approach.

Also heads of agencies such as National Biosafety Management Agency and the National Biotechnology Research Development Agency were there to defend the introduction of GMOs into Nigeria, asserting that their laboratories and scientists ensure food safety.

Concerns Raised by Experts and Stakeholders
A coalition of researchers, nutritionists, medical practitioners, civil society activists, and food safety advocates under the aegis of GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance criticized the introduction of GMOs, describing them as harmful to human health and the environment.
Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua, Executive Director of the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR), labeled GMOs as “biological weapons” designed to destabilize food security and consolidate global corporate control over Nigeria’s agriculture. He linked GMOs to infertility, juvenile diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and rising autism rates.

Amua also accused external forces of exploiting GMOs to undermine Nigeria’s food sovereignty and strategic security, citing the inability of farmers in Benue State to access their fields due to insecurity allegedly tied to these external interests.

Prof. Johnson Ekpere, retired Executive Secretary of the Organisation of African Unity’s Scientific, Technical and Research Commission and Pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Biosafety Commission issued a stern warning about the long-term dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), describing them as “time bombs” with potentially devastating effects on individuals, animals, the environment, and ecosystems. Prof. Ekpere urged Nigerians to recognize the significant threats posed by GMOs and to join efforts in enlightening the government about the implications of their adoption.

“The cumulative effects of GMOs over time will be very severe, impacting not just individuals but also animals, the soil, and ecosystems that sustain the human race,” Prof. Ekpere warned. He criticized proponents of GMOs for failing to consider the far-reaching consequences of their introduction, particularly for Africa and Nigeria. He further cautioned that the push for GMOs by international entities may be tied to ulterior motives, suggesting that such products are being promoted as a means to control population growth on the continent. “What is being presented to us today is not merely a technological advancement but a dangerous product with hidden agendas that could have catastrophic outcomes for our country and the African continent as a whole,” he stated.

Prof. Ekpere called for a collective effort to resist the adoption of GMOs and to advocate for sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize health, biodiversity, and food sovereignty. “This fight is one we must win. The stakes are too high for us to ignore the potential dangers of GMOs,” he concluded.

Inibehe Effiong, human rights activist and legal consultant for the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, called for an immediate halt to GMO distribution, urging the government to prioritize agroecological methods like organic and regenerative farming. He said,”We would like to see in the interim, while the argument is even going on, a national moratorium declared that even if they are not convinced that the adverse effects which majority of the experts have spoken eloquently to are obvious, even if they still want to go ahead with the investigation, pending when they conclude; GMO distribution and circulation in Nigeria should be halted.

“There is a perception that you can do to Nigerians whatever you want to do and nothing will happen. And that explains some of the institutional arrogance that we witness today. To the point that someone was so audacious as to say it is better to eat and die than not to eat and die.

“While we recognise the government’s efforts at improving food security in Nigeria, the adoption of GMOs as a silver bullet to agricultural challenges is an error. Continuing this path holds serious implications on Nigeria’s food sovereignty, on our biodiversity/environmental sustainability, and our health.”

Health and Environmental Risks of GMOs
Several speakers outlined scientific evidence linking GMOs to various health risks, including weakened immune systems, antibiotic resistance, and reduced nutritional value.
Mr. Rutendo Matinyarare, a South African GMO expert, warned that GMOs increase susceptibility to diseases by compromising human immunity. He also highlighted environmental damage, such as biodiversity loss and the long-term infertility of farmland caused by GMO farming practices.

Deputy Executive Director, in Nigeria’s foremost advocacy non-governmental organization, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje criticized the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for prioritizing the promotion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) over its regulatory role. She noted that since its establishment in 2015, the NBMA has approved nearly every GMO application it received, often disregarding science-based objections from experts and concerned Nigerians. Bassey emphasized that the NBMA Act lacks critical provisions, such as strict liability and redress mechanisms, which would hold biotechnology companies accountable for any immediate or long-term negative effects of their products.

Bassey also expressed concern about conflicts of interest within Nigeria’s biosafety framework, highlighting the National Biotechnology Development Agency’s (NABDA) dual role as both a promoter of GMOs and a member of the NBMA board. She pointed to instances where NABDA collaborated with Monsanto on GMO applications and participated in approving the same permits. This overlap, she argued, undermines public trust and exposes flaws in the nation’s biosafety regulatory architecture.

Arguing that GMOs are not a solution to Nigeria’s food insecurity challenges, Bassey warned that they could exacerbate ecological and agricultural problems while benefiting profit-driven corporations. She urged the government to reject GMO adoption and instead invest in sustainable agricultural practices that support local farmers, protect biodiversity, and uphold food sovereignty. Drawing comparisons to Mexico’s rejection of GMOs, Bassey called for policies that prioritize the rights and needs of Nigerians over corporate interests.

Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes at the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), also criticized the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) for approving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without conducting independent, long-term risk assessments or addressing expert objections. She noted that imported processed foods containing GMOs, such as cereals, noodles, and vegetable oils, are widely consumed in Nigeria without sufficient public awareness of potential health implications. A survey conducted by HOMEF between 2018 and 2023 revealed over 50 such products, primarily imported from the USA, China, India, and South Africa.

Brown highlighted the ineffectiveness of GMOs in addressing food insecurity, citing a report by the National Cotton Association of Nigeria that GM cotton seeds introduced since 2020 have not increased yields compared to local varieties. Furthermore, she raised concerns about the ecological damage caused by GMOs, including the inability of other plants to grow on farmlands previously used for GM cotton. She urged the government to prioritize solutions such as improved access to land, credit, and irrigation services, alongside addressing security challenges, to support smallholder farmers and strengthen the nation’s food systems.

Calling for reform, Brown criticized the NBMA Act for lacking provisions on strict liability, public participation, and transparency, while pointing out conflicts of interest within Nigeria’s biosafety regulatory framework. She advocated for the adoption of agroecology, a sustainable agricultural approach rooted in ecological principles, as a viable alternative to GMOs, emphasizing its potential to ensure both food security and sovereignty.

Lawmakers and Government Officials Speak Out
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, speaking through his representative, emphasised the importance of the hearing in addressing Nigeria’s food security and health concerns. He expressed confidence that the committee would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Committee Chairman Bello Ka’oje acknowledged the global debate surrounding GMOs and stressed the need for transparent governance in agriculture.

Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya referenced countries like France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, etc. which have banned GMOs, urging Nigeria to follow suit.

A Growing Call for a Ban
The coalition of anti-GMO advocates demanded decisive legislative action, urging the National Assembly to enact a complete ban on GMOs. Drawing from international examples, they argued that the risks associated with GMOs far outweigh their benefits, jeopardizing Nigeria’s biodiversity, food sovereignty, and agricultural stability.

In a unified stance, speakers and lawmakers cautioned against adopting GMOs as a solution to Nigeria’s agricultural challenges, stressing the importance of preserving traditional farming practices and supporting smallholder farmers. The debate now lies with the National Assembly to determine the future of GMOs in Nigeria.

See more pictures from the public hearing and press/media conference below>>>>>