The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country is safe, stressing that the technology is intended to improve food security and nutrition.
Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), gave the assurance during a sensitisation workshop organised for directorate officers of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The event, held in collaboration with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), Nigerian Chapter, was designed to provide clarity on the role of biotechnology in food and health systems.
Addressing concerns raised about GMOs, Dr. Gidado said Nigerian scientists involved in the process are guided by ethics and professional responsibility.
“We cannot give poison to our own people. We are part of this society, and we are committed to ensuring that all safety standards are observed,” she said.
She explained that GMOs have been in use globally for more than three decades in over 45 countries, with no proven evidence of harm, and that Nigeria follows international safety standards in regulating their development and use.
According to her, the adoption of biotechnology, including GMOs, is one of the ways to address challenges posed by rapid population growth, food shortages, and malnutrition.
The workshop also gave officers of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare the opportunity to engage with experts, raise questions on health and environmental concerns, and better understand how GMOs are monitored in Nigeria.
Government officials at the event reiterated their commitment to science-based solutions for food security and pledged to strengthen public awareness campaigns to address misinformation about GMOs.
