The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has warned the public of recent developments concerning the registration of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria, ordering the immediate suspension of MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002.

It states that at no time did the NBMA grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new GM cotton varieties. Any action taken outside this framework constitutes a violation of national biosafety regulations.

A statement by Gloria Ogbaki, Head Information and Public Relations, explained that through its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms, identified serious compliance abnormalities in these varieties.

It states: subsequent verification established that the cotton varieties were registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries on the 26th of March 2027 without the requisite approval, as required under the National Biosafety Management Act 2015 (as amended).

The statement further added that findings confirm that confined field trials and related activities involving these transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight by the Agency.

According to  Ogbaki, under the NBMA Act, it is instructive to note that no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or the commercial release of genetically modified organisms without the explicit approval of Agency.

“In response to these issues highlighted, the Agency has directed the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries to suspend any further action on the registration and release of these varieties pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The Agency will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law, assuring all Nigerians that it is handling this matter with all seriousness. The public will be kept informed as the investigations progress.

There is no evidence at this time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity.

We remain committed to ensuring that all modern biotechnology activities in Nigeria are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international best practices.”