The GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, comprising over 200 individuals and organizations—including farmers, civil society groups, scientists, nutritionists, legal practitioners, and medical experts—has called on the National Assembly to impose a total ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.
During a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Agricultural Production, the group raised concerns about the impact of GMOs on the country’s food systems, human health, and the environment. They also alleged that external forces promoting GMOs have contributed to insecurity in Nigeria.
Presenting a memorandum to the committee, Mr. Johnson Ekpere, a consultant to the group, urged the government to immediately halt GMO distribution and declare a policy against their use.
“We recommend a national moratorium on GMO distribution and circulation until conclusive evidence emerges on their effects. The idea that Nigerians can be subjected to harmful practices without accountability fuels institutional arrogance,” he said.
Ekpere criticized the government’s adoption of GMOs as a quick fix for agricultural challenges, warning of serious implications for Nigeria’s food sovereignty, biodiversity, and public health. He advocated a shift toward agroecology, including organic and regenerative agricultural practices, which are proven sustainable alternatives.
The memorandum highlighted the lack of productivity gains from GMOs in Nigeria. For instance, the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) reported no significant yield increases with GM cotton seeds since their introduction in the 2020/2021 farming season. Farmers also complained that GMOs reduced productivity during subsequent planting seasons, forcing them to buy new seeds yearly.
The group also cited findings that GM crops could have unexpected nutritional changes, including reduced beneficial compounds and heightened allergenic substances. They noted that Burkina Faso phased out GM cotton in 2016 due to poor quality, yet the same variety was approved for use in Nigeria.
The alliance criticized the lack of labeling for GMO products in Nigeria, making it difficult for consumers to identify genetically modified foods. They warned that unregulated imports of processed foods containing GMOs pose significant health risks.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr. Qrisstuberg Amua, Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, alleged that foreign interests were behind insecurity in Nigeria to promote GMOs.
“International forces are creating hunger scenarios to advertise genetically modified poisons. These are biological weapons aimed at compromising our food systems and health,” he claimed.
Amua, a professor of bioinorganic chemistry, linked GMOs to declining fertility rates, suggesting they may have unintended long-term effects on human health.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reassured Nigerians that the federal government would not promote anything harmful to its citizens.
“The government would never intentionally introduce harmful substances to the people. This forum aims to bring together experts to explore balanced solutions for food security,” Kyari said.
He emphasized the role of seed councils, regulatory bodies, and research institutes in ensuring the safety of agricultural inputs and called for collaborative efforts to address concerns surrounding GMOs.
The public hearing marked a critical step in Nigeria’s ongoing debate over the role of GMOs in agriculture and food security.
