By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Promoting Modern Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture | Ensuring Public Health Through Rigorous Regulation and Safety | Building Public Trust Through Transparency and Collaboration
In a decisive step to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and public health, the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare convened a high-level sensitization workshop on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for the Ministry’s directorate officers. The event, held at Johnwood Hotel, Abuja, highlighted the role of modern biotechnology in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and public health, while addressing public perceptions and media narratives.
Pharm. Dr. Olubunmi Aribeana, Director of Food and Drug Services, welcomed participants, stating, “This workshop is to deepen our understanding of biotechnology innovations, biosafety considerations, and their health and food security implications. It is also to equip the Ministry leadership team to participate effectively in the national dialogue and policymaking on the safe and beneficial adoption of modern food safety and nutrition technologies.”
She acknowledged that the public discourse around GMOs has sometimes been clouded by sensational headlines, emphasizing the need to transform perceptions through facts, transparency, and responsible communication. She added, “Every product born from modern biotechnology will be held to the highest safety standards. Rigorous risk assessments—covering allergenicity, nutritional composition, long-term health impacts, and environmental considerations—will guide our approach.”
Building on this regulatory framework, Dr. Aribeana highlighted collaboration with other agencies: “Together with NAFDAC, IPAN, NBRDA, NBMA, and OFAB, we are ensuring that every GMO product follows standard procedures such as labelling and traceability to reinforce trust and accountability for every Nigerian.”
The workshop featured Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NBRDA, ably represented by Dr. Oyedele Julius, Director of Environmental Biotechnology and Bioconservation. Prof. Mustapha urged stakeholders to embrace biotechnology as a tool to boost agricultural productivity and public health. “Farmers cultivating TELA maize have recorded yield increases of over 50 percent with less pesticide use. Bt/PBR cowpea has cut down insecticide sprays and improved household incomes, while Bt cotton has revitalized productivity in Nigeria’s cotton belt,” he explained. “These are real harvests impacting real families, with more food on the table and more money in the pocket.”
Highlighting the public health dimension, he noted, “Reduced crop losses mean a more stable food supply, lower food prices, and fewer nutrition shocks. Reduced pesticide use lowers public-health risks to rural communities and agricultural workers.”
Prof. Mustapha also reassured participants of Nigeria’s strong regulatory framework, explaining that every GMO product undergoes rigorous trials, risk assessments, and post-release monitoring. He called on journalists and public officers to communicate responsibly: “Facts matter, context matters, and tone matters. The public deserves transparency and candour; that is how trust is built.”
In his closing remarks, Prof. Mustapha commended the Ministry for hosting the workshop and praised the collaboration with OFAB and other agencies, describing it as a partnership “where science, policy, and service converge for the public good.” The event signaled a unified effort to advance Nigeria’s food security, public health, and biotechnology adoption goals.
