The Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) has urged countries to embrace modern biotechnology as a strategic tool for national development.
The President of the BSN and a professor of Food Science and Biotechnology, Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu made this call during an interview on Friday in Abuja.
Expressing satisfaction that Nigeria had adopted biotechnology, Uzochukwu emphasized that the field goes beyond ensuring food security and revolutionizing healthcare—it also plays a critical role in shaping international trade and diplomacy.
According to her, challenges posed by population growth and climate change necessitate the bioengineering of crops to improve traits such as drought resistance on a much broader scale.
She noted that, in accordance with international treaties requiring the establishment of regulatory bodies to oversee the safe use of genetic engineering, the Nigerian government created the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
“This was done to ensure the safety of biotechnology products,” she explained.
“I urge the NBMA to shift its regulatory approach more towards product-based assessments rather than process-based ones. In other words, the agency should focus on the safety of the final product, regardless of how it was developed,” Uzochukwu said.
She added that since the NBMA is tasked with ensuring the safety of genetically engineered food products before they reach the market, the public should not have any cause for concern.
The BSN President also acknowledged the role of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), which is charged with promoting the adoption of biotechnology in Nigeria.
She pointed out that the NBRDA has spent over two decades working with various partners to help regulate biotechnology products.
“However, there is concern that, aside from covering personnel costs, these agencies are often left to rely on donor funding to carry out their core functions,” Uzochukwu noted.
“With donor support now dwindling, it is imperative that our government steps in to fund science and technology initiatives.”
