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Why Nigerians Do Not Trust NBMA’s Regulation of GMOs

Published

3 weeks ago

March 10, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Why Nigerians Do Not Trust NBMA’s Regulation of GMOs

By Nnimmo Bassey and Joyce Brown

The deployment of products of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) continues to raise concerns and resistance, not only in Nigeria but across the world among consumers, researchers, public health experts, food sovereignty campaigners and others. Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) however, has continued to take on a defensive front on the matter rather than acknowledging and addressing critical concerns that are quite fundamental and evident. This we believe comes from a mindset that assumes science and technology especially such as is approved by some foreign entities cannot be flawed and that Nigeria or Africa cannot make a headway in agriculture without without deploying biotechnology.

A recent article in The Guardian titled Nigeria Is Not Experimenting With GMOs, It Is Regulating Them, presents genetically engineered crops as a fait accompli and the NBMA as adequately defending Nigeria’s biosafety. The article almost reads like an NBMA public relations piece. The fact we must not forget is that the agency is saddled with the mandate to ensure that the practice of, and products from modern biotechnology do not harm human, animals, or plants health or the environment and they have said in the past that they are not set up to stop the deployment of GMOs but to regulate them. This begs for an interrogation of what regulation actually means. Shouldn’t regulation mean that GMOs should be banned altogether if they pose significant risks to humans and the environment? The the Precautionary Principle, a key principle of the Cartagena Protocol to which Nigeria is signatory, specifically advises caution and a halt in adoption of GMOs where there are threats to human and environmental safety.

One of the fundamental questions that the Nigerian government through the NBMA is yet to respond to is “ where are the results of LONG TERM and INDEPENDENT/PEER REVIEWED risk assessment including feeding tests conducted that informs the safety of the four officially approved products for commercial planting in Nigeria and the 10 or more others approved for food, feed and processing? This is unarguably the surest way to build trust in the regulatory architecture, but such information is not on the website of the NBMA as of 6 March 2026. We cannot but say the country is experimenting with GMOs using Nigerians as test subjects with our soils/environment as the laboratory. This is clearly not the way to defend biosafety.

The loudest argument about the need for GMOs in Nigeria is that there is no other way to feed a burgeoning population. The fact that these artificial crops do not have a yield advantage over natural varieties when cultivated under similar conditions is simply overlooked. The overriding impetus for the broadcasting of the GMOs in Nigeria is the economic benefits the speculators and manufacturers of the seeds would reap, riding on their power and control over policy formulation and implementation. Profit at what cost? Or is it true as an official of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) stated at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives in December 2024 that “it is better to eat and die than not to eat and die”? Meaning that because Nigeria’s population is huge, we should keep deploying GMOs irrespective of the quality of the food and the long-term impacts whether social, health or environmental, as long as food is available.

But we must dig deeper even on the economic front. The cotton farmers who have planted GMOs for the longest time in Nigeria noted in 2024 that the GM Cotton (Bt Cotton) after 3 odd years of planting has not outperformed the conventional variety. They lamented that their soil was instead being degraded. This is possibly a result of the release of the CRY1Ab toxins (from Bacillus thuringiensis) in the Bt Cotton into the soils. Again, what cost are we willing to pay just to be in the league of countries deploying so-called cutting edge modern biotechnology in agriculture?

A second fundamental question that remains unanswered is who controls the GM seed market? This gives rise to several other questions: Who owns the intellectual property rights over the genetically modified seeds? Here’s the catch: GMOs can and will contaminate our local varieties through cross pollination and other processes. What safeguards has the NBMA put in place to prevent gene transfer and contamination of Nigeria’s local seed varieties? Or are we content with depending solely on the intentional seed companies for seeds and for our subsistence in the long run?

A number of other countries have put in place total or partial bans on GMOs based on this risk of genetic contamination. In 2024, Mexico placed an indefinite ban on genetically engineered corn. The courts said from the evidence before it, genetically engineered corn posed “the risk of imminent harm to the environment.” Furthermore, they will “suspend all activities involving the planting of transgenic corn in the country and end the granting of permission for experimental and pilot commercial plantings.” This ruling provided a protection for the 20,000 varieties of corn grown in Mexico and Central America. What are we doing to protect Nigeria’s genetic resources from GMOs contamination? Mexico is the centre of origin of maize and this reality places responsibility on her to protect natural maize varieties from the corruption of transgenic varieties. Nigeria is the centre of origin of beans/cowpea, and yet our farms and markets are open to insecticidal GMO beans.

On this note we encourage the government at all levels to invest in the setting up of seed banks to ensure the preservation of local and high performing indigenous seed varieties.

Nigerians reserve the right to choose their food. GMOs approved for commercial cultivation and sale are not labeled. Although we do not believe labelling will be effective considering our socio-economic context, the absence of labelling signals a disregard for the rights of consumers and an avoidance of responsibility on the part of the producers GMOs. Releasing GMOs into the market without labels is against the spirit and intent of the biosafety law in Nigeria. This explains why the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act lacks provision on strict liability.

Many Nigerians are consuming imported processed foods bought from supermarkets without any idea that they are made from the genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The manner in which these items are imported into the country needs to be interrogated. Although the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has said illegal importation of GMOs into the country is being checked, these products are abundant in our market shelves (over 50 different brands including cereals, vegetable oils, spices, ice-cream, cake mixes etc) as revealed by a survey which Health of Mother Earth Foundation carried out across 10 Nigerian cities in 2018, 2019 and 2023.

We reinforce the call for a ban on GMOs in Nigeria. As recommended by the House of Representatives in 2024, no new GMOs should be approved in Nigeria pending a proper interrogation of the processes of approvals so far. We add that such an interrogation must include long term impacts on human and environmental health. The output of this exercise should be critically reviewed by independent scientists and other food system stakeholders.

Nigeria’s approach to tackling food insecurity should be such that address the root causes of the problem. We cannot overlook the poor budgetary allocation to agriculture or the heightened insecurity that keeps farmers out of farms or the lack of basic infrastructure or the poor extension service etc and claim to be addressing food insecurity.

It is time to transition back to agroecology -which simply means farming in line with nature and in the light of our socio-cultural, economic and ecological context. Farming that ensures that science recognises local knowledge and that it serves the interest of the people. We must promote and protect farming that assures food security but much better food sovereignty by ensuring shorter value chains/better access to food, improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers and a protection of the rights of peoples.

GMOs only attempt to address the symptoms of major underlying food system issues while increasing profit for their proponents. The price to pay in terms of ecological damage, loss of biodiversity, health and economic implications far outweigh any fickle advantages they may seem to have. It is time to decolonize our food systems.

People over profits!

Nnimmo Bassey is an Environmental Activist, Author/Poet and Executive Director at Health of Mother Earth Foundation

Joyce Brown is a Public Health Scientist, Food Sovereignty Campaigner, and Director of Programmes at Health of Mother Earth Foundation

Why Nigerians Do Not Trust NBMA’s Regulation of GMOs

News

Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba

Published

5 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba

A sociocultural group under the auspices of Nyimatli Development Association (NDA) has demanded that the 2027 senatorial seat of Gombe Central be zoned to Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday in Gombe, Mr Emmanuel Usman, the secretary of the group in the company of other executive members said the demand was from the entire people of Yamaltu Deba LGA.

Usman said the demand was a necessary step for equity, unity, justice and inclusiveness.

He stated that since Gombe Central has two Local Government Areas of Akko and Yamaltu Deba and Akko has held the seat for 16 years, zoning it to Yamaltu Deba would ensure parity and correct the zoning imbalance.

“Akko has held the seat for too long and it is our turn to ensure equitable representation; this is the message from the Tera people and the people of Yamaltu Deba.

“The people of Yamaltu Deba LGA are concerned about the issue of representation at the National Assembly particularly at the Senate.

“Yamaltu Deba is in Gombe Central Senatorial District and the district is owned by Akko and Yamaltu Deba and by extension this seat should go round between the two LGAs in the zone.

“When we returned into the present democratic era, the first senator was from Akko who served for four years and then it returned to Yamaltu Deba, for another four years.
“Until it came to the time when Senator Danjuma Goje, from Akko became senator and he has served four consecutive terms that is for 16 years, without it being returned to Yamaltu Deba.

“We feel as a people if we own this seat collectively, equity and justice should have been the right thing and if Akko has enjoyed 16 years, it should now be returned to Yamaltu Deba,” he said.

Usman said that the people of Yamaltu Deba were already feeling maginalised not because the current senator Goje lacked competence or representation, but because they have been denied the right to represent the district.

He said the LGA has a lot of competent politicians and technocrats who could effectively represent the Senatorial District and fast track development.

Usman pleaded with Goje not to contest the 2027 senatorial seat but allow Yamaltu Deba in the spirit of “our unwritten consensus” for turn taking in representation.

“We have supported Goje, voted for him and given him the platform to lead, it is now time for him to return the favour and step aside for others from Yamaltu Deba to occupy the senate seat.”

He also appealed to Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State as the party leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to listen to their plea towards ensuring fairness, inclusion and justice.

Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba

News

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

Published

6 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

As 2027 general elections are approaching, over 8 aspirants from the three senatorial districts of Yobe state are jostling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Notably among them are the current Secretary to the Yobe State Government and the longest SSG in Northeastern Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW) mni; the former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the longest member at the National Assembly since 1999 up to date and the current Senator for the Yobe North Senatorial District, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, GCON (SAIL), Sardaunan Bade; and Senator Mohammed Ibrahim Bomai (MIB), two-term Senator for the Yobe South Senatorial District and Madakin Fika Emirate Council.

Others notable among them include Senator Musa Mustapha (COOLERS), current Senator of the Yobe East Senatorial District; Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, former Deputy Governor of Yobe State and former Minister of Power and Jarman of the Pataskum Emirate Council; and Kashim Musa Tumsah, a lawyer and diplomat, and hosts of others. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been ruling the state since the return of democracy in 1999 or since the creation of the state. Muhammad Abba, a political analyst in the state, revealed that we are advising the party stakeholders in the state that if they want the party to continue ruling the state, they should adopt the rotation or zoning formula so that every senatorial district will benefit from the governorship seat in the state.

Dr. Garba Adamu, also a political analyst in the state, said rotation or zoning is the best option for the APC in the state, adding that since the creation of the state, Zone A, or the Yobe East Senatorial District, for a long time has held the power or has produced the governor, and the Yobe South Senatorial District has produced only one governor, Mamman B. Ali, who spent only 18 months in office before he died. But in the Yobe North Senatorial District, Zone C, they never produce anything else, neither the governor nor the deputy; they never get the opportunity or the chance.

He added that, but this time around if the party wants to win the election easily without facing any challenges from the opposition party, they should reintroduce the zoning system because it will encourage the electorates to come out en masse to vote for the party, especially from Zone C, because they picked its son to be the party candidate. However, he said the best candidate from the zone, who would win the election 100%, is Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali (BMW), the current secretary to the state government; he has the capacity, and he has the experience to handle the affairs of the state because of his long experience in administration.

According to him, the election of Baba Mallam Wali as the fifth democratically elected governor of Yobe State will steady impactful walks through the corridors of power at both local and state levels. He is a man blessed with a character of humility, sympathy, and accessibility and a genius in letting go of what rightfully and lawfully belongs to him for peace to reign. However, BMW’s plan is to continue building on what they call the “Renewed Hope and Vision of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the legacy of His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Geidam,” aimed at delivering a better life for residents of Yobe State.

“Baba Mallam Wali’s agenda is anchored on People-Oriented Development (POD), a strategy designed to ensure that government decisions directly continue to improve the daily lives of citizens. Alhaji Idris Musa, also a political analyst in the state, reiterates his call to the APC-led administration in Yobe State to adopt the rotation formula aimed to balance its political equations, adding that if care is not carefully taken in Yobe politics this time and if they fail to implement the zoning formula, they will face the consequences because likely the opposition party will win the election, because the two senatorial zones will react, especially Zone C and Zone B.

Zone C deserved to pick the governorship ticket of Yobe State in 2027, and if there is fairness, equity, and justice in the 2027 election, then from Zone C, the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali MNI, is capable and has the capacity to hold the ticket, and he will deliver, inshallah.

Eight aspirants eye Governor Buni’s seat in Yobe

News

Reprisal attack leaves two dead as plateau govt imposes curfew in Jos

Published

6 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Reprisal attack leaves two dead as plateau govt imposes curfew in Jos

By: Zagazola Makama

A reprisal attack has claimed the lives of two persons in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, following an earlier shooting incident along the Jos–Bauchi highway.

A security source said the incident occurred on March 29 at Angwan Rukuba junction, where residents allegedly carried out retaliatory attacks on passersby after a morning assault by gunmen.

According to the source, the initial attack, which occurred at about 7:30 a.m., involved assailants who drove on a vehicle and opened fire on commuters, killing several persons and injuring others before fleeing the scene.

Security sources blamed the attack on cultist, while some blame it on the fulani bandits, sone said they are Boko Haram while some maintain that the attackers were some criminal elements because they fled in a vehicle.

Sources however said that in the aftermath of the shooting, some aggrieved residents reportedly attacked unsuspecting passersby on the highway, resulting in the death of two persons,” the source said.

He added that the situation created heightened tension in the area, with fears of further escalation.

The situation further compounded after a Foreigner went to the scene of the accident to demonstrate and threatened to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying will regret what he was doing for not admitting Christian Genocide.

The Plateau State Government subsequently imposed an immediate 48-hour curfew to restore calm and prevent additional reprisal attacks.

The source said casualties from the incidents had been evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), while security agencies had commenced investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.

He noted that no arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report.

The source further stressed the need for sustained security presence and community engagement to de-escalate tensions and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Security agencies have also intensified patrols and surveillance in the area, as efforts continue to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of residents.

Reprisal attack leaves two dead as plateau govt imposes curfew in Jos