The Director General of National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, said the agency is building a new generation of Biosafety professionals on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), who will serve as watchdogs and innovators in the food and health sectors.
Asagbra, who made the assertion at a media chat to mark her two years in office in Abuja, explained that within the period under review, the agency has been driven by a clear mission aimed at regulating the safe and responsible application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria.
According to her, the efforts are to demonstrate in a manner that safeguards human health, protects the environment, conserves biodiversity, and supports the national aspiration for food security and sustainable development.
She added that they have put in place measures to ensure that biosecurity in Nigeria not only account for the stewardship of this administration, but also to highlight how biosafety, often working behind the scenes, is a cornerstone of country’s development agenda.
“One of our proudest achievements in the past years has been the successful surveillance and tracking of GMOs in 32 supermarkets across Nigeria to ensure that only approved GMO products are sold to the public.”
The NBMA boss explained that to enforce proper labeling standards in line with international best practices, they have strengthened consumer confidence in the food system, and contributes directly to the preservation of biodiversity by preventing the unintended release or circulation of unauthorised organisms that may pose ecological risks.
Similarly, Asagbra emphasised that biosafety does not end on the farm, rather, it continues through the value chain from storage to processing to dinner table and these certified facilities are now part of a national biosafety system that ensures there is no cross-contamination or no unauthorized imports or processing.
“This also ensures our people are informed and protected when it comes to their food choices. Authorisation and monitoring of seven confined field trials was achieved. Another major milestone was the approval and oversight of seven Confined Field Trials (CFTs) for genetically modified crops.”
She said the trials include: Cowpea resistant to pod borer and storage bruchid pests; Gene-edited cassava aimed at boosting root yield. These field trials are not just scientific experiments; they are the bedrock of a new agricultural revolution in Nigeria, a revolution rooted in science, safety, and sustainability.
“They help us generate crops that require less pesticide, thus protecting our pollinators and water sources; survive harsh climatic conditions; and most importantly, help us move closer to the Federal Government’s goal of achieving food security for all Nigerians.”
She therefore stated that in line with the National Biosecurity Action Plan (2022–2026), Nigeria is prepared to detect, prevent, and respond to any form of biological threat, whether from natural outbreaks, laboratory accidents, or bioterrorism.
“In doing so, we’ll protect not only the environment and biodiversity, but also the lives of our people and the sovereignty of our nation,” she added.
