Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, has voiced his support for the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja, Abdullahi emphasized that GMOs could significantly improve agricultural yields, which remain low in the country. He urged Nigerians to embrace genetic engineering as a means to mitigate risks from pests and enhance food production.
“Increasing agricultural yield is critical, and genetic engineering provides a viable solution to challenges like pest infestations,” he said on the sidelines of the 2025 Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards.
Scientists have reassured the public that GMOs are safe and can play a key role in strengthening national food security, even as some Nigerians remain skeptical.
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), noted that the progress in Nigeria’s GMO initiatives is grounded in robust science, stringent biosafety oversight, and informed citizen consent. He highlighted the role of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in conducting risk assessments on a case-by-case basis, consistent with international best practices.
Former Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, called on the media to support agriculture and educate farmers and citizens on innovations in the sector.
“Journalists should serve as a bridge between government agricultural initiatives and the public, promoting national development and innovation,” Sharubutu said.
Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricbiotech Department at NBRDA, praised OFAB Nigeria for its role in bridging laboratory discoveries with farmers’ needs. She highlighted that agricultural biotechnology offers resilient crops capable of withstanding drought, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre, Regional Representative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), called for closer collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and the media to accelerate the responsible adoption of agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers and overall food security.
The event’s highpoint was the presentation of the National Agricultural Transformation Award to Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago. Juliana Agbo of The Nation newspaper emerged as the overall winner of the OFAB Media Awards, receiving 750,000 naira and a laptop.
