The Federal Government has pledged comprehensive systems of policies, laws, and procedures designed to ensure the safe transfer, handling, and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and other biotechnologies, minimising risks to human health, animals, plants, and the environment.

Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, who stated this at a collaborative meeting with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa-Nigeria Chapter and National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in Abuja, stressed the government’s determination to foster an ecosystem where biotechnological innovation thrives under stringent safety and ethical standards.

He said that by prioritising robust biosafety frameworks, Nigeria can build public trust and pave the way for biotechnological innovations’ ethical and impactful deployment.

According to Salako, overwhelming evidence at its disposal shows that GMOs pose no unique health risks, as some of them foods offer superior health benefits. He called on anti-GMO activists who have contrary evidence to come forward with it.

Salako emphasised the need to harness biotechnology and biosafety for the progress of Nigeria, adding that the ministry will work closely with stakeholders to craft policies that balance innovation with public safety and environmental stewardship.He noted that biotechnology is a cornerstone of innovation, offering groundbreaking solutions in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

Salako observed that from developing life-saving therapies to enhancing crop resilience, the potential of biotechnology to address pressing global challenges is unparalleled.

In healthcare, he said biotechnology opens doors to innovative diagnostics, new therapeutics, precision medicine, regenerative medicine, immunotherapy and preventive measures, especially the production of vaccines using DNA recombinant technology.

The minister said that by integrating these advancements into the country’s healthcare system, Nigeria can tackle endemic diseases, improve maternal and child health, and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians.

He highlighted the importance of biotechnology in addressing the challenges of nutritional deficiencies, especially among children. Salako advocated open, transparent dialogue among researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to ensure biotechnology aligns with societal values and addresses Nigeria’s unique needs, particularly in achieving food security and public health excellence.

He noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda emphasises the role of science in national development, adding that the government is embracing modern technologies, including genetic modification, to transform agriculture and position Nigeria as Africa’s ‘Blue Zone’—a beacon of longevity, productivity, and prosperity.

Speaking on misconceptions surrounding GMOs, the minister noted that critics have claimed that GMOs cause cancer or other health issues without bringing forth any peer-reviewed scientific evidence to back the claim.

“Over the past three decades, more than 2,000 rigorous studies have confirmed that GMO foods are as safe as conventional foods. The consensus among leading scientific bodies—including the US National Academy of Sciences, the Union of German Academies of Science and Humanities, and 275 independent global science organisations is clear.

“In 2012, 110 Nobel laureates affirmed that crops improved through biotechnology are as safe as, if not safer than, those from traditional methods because of the type of scrutiny the products of genetic modification go through. The US National Academy’s comprehensive two-year evaluation found no link between GMOs and increased risks of cancer, obesity, gastrointestinal issues, kidney disease, autism, or allergies,” he said.

Salako assured that the ministry will continue to collaborate with NBRDA and similar agencies to use biotechnology to improve the arsenal of diagnostic and therapeutic products available to Nigerians. He urged the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and NAFDAC to work on labelling so that GMO food products are identifiable in the market.

Earlier, the Director-General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, called for partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and the agency, noting that biotechnology offers several solutions to address these challenges, including the development of disease-resistant, high-yielding crop varieties, and improved crop tolerance.

He observed that GMOs have nutritional value and can be engineered to have enhanced nutritional content, such as vitamin A, while the enriched golden rice can help combat micronutrient deficiencies.

Mustapha explained that biotechnology uses a technique that transfers desirable traits through genes from one organism to another to improve quality and performance. This process, he noted, forms the backbone of modern medicine and agriculture and has become a multi-billion-dollar global industry.

He said, “Without innovation-driven technology, Nigeria cannot move forward. Biotechnology offers solutions from improving crop yield and resilience to enhancing diagnostics and therapeutics. GMOs are not just scientific products; they represent hope and resilience,” he added. “We are committed to making Nigeria a global player in biotechnology.”

Also, the former Director General of NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba, said that GMOs are products of intervention and have not come to replace the conventional ones. “It is a technology to solve a problem, GMOs are not synthetic chemicals. They are living organisms whose DNA has been modified to solve specific problems and international bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) recognise their safety,” he said.

Ebegba said, “In Africa, Nigeria has been able to play the role of biosecurity to ensure that this technology is safe for the environment and the planet. Nigeria is presently a leader among biosecurity authorities in Africa because of its level of biosecurity.

“Modern biosecurity is done safely. Nigeria has also adapted technology to ensure that it solves agricultural problems; Nigeria has also brought in new technologies to ensure this process is safe.”

Ebegba highlighted the rigorous risk assessment protocols required for GMO approvals, including allergenicity, chemical composition, and substantial equivalence to conventional crops.

He said, “Nigeria must not be afraid to go into technology. We have the capacity to ensure this process is safe. The most potent drugs are presently being developed in Nigeria, and all the GMOs have been approved by the government.”