Biosafety Agency Urges Nigerians to trust its safety measures

Nigerians have been urged to trust in the processes and dedicated efforts of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), in protecting lives and always forward suggestions, complaints, and observations to the agency.

The Director General of the Agency Dr. Agnes Asagbra, stated this at a News briefing on issues concerning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and its regulation in Nigeria, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

She says the agency will not compromise on the safety of Nigerians, stressing that the negative statements circulating concerning GMOs were not only misleading but lacked credible scientific backing.

“In recent times, our Agency has been the target of baseless attacks by anti-GMO organizations. It is crucial that I, as the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), address these unfounded allegations and reassure the public of our unwavering commitment to your safety,’’ she said.

The Director General believes that together, stakeholders can navigate the complexities of biotechnology for a more food-secure Nigeria that embraces innovation while safeguarding public health and the environment.

“While we understand that the rapid advancement of biotechnology can lead to varying opinions, we assure the public that our regulatory processes are stringent, transparent, and in accordance with global standards. I want to emphasize that at NBMA, we adhere strictly to regulatory diligence. The regulatory process for GMOs in Nigeria is transparent, science-based, and guided by international best practices,’’ she explained.

Dr. Asagbra further stressed that it is important for the public to understand that without the NBMA, Nigeria could become a dumping ground for unregulated and potentially harmful GMOs and products of biotechnology.

“Our Agency is your shield against such dangers, ensuring that only safe and beneficial biotechnology products enter our market. Our goal is to foster innovation in a safe and regulated manner, promoting scientific advancements that can improve food security and contribute to sustainable agriculture,’’ she noted.

She also gave assurance of the agency’s full cooperation to members of the House of Representatives who are investigating GMOs.

“The NBMA remains transparent and accountable in all its operations. We invite you to review our processes and the rigorous evaluations each GMO product undergoes before approval. We are confident that our procedures meet global standards and are in the best interest of Nigerians. We are confident that our procedures meet global standards and are in the best interest of Nigerians,’’ she explained.

The Director General however called on the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), to help the agency strengthen its regulations at the point of entry of these GMO products coming into the country.

“We have been advocating over the years to have our presence in the port where all these grains or products come in, it has not been given to us.”

According to her, “the NBMA is committed to promoting scientific literacy and the acceptance of innovation. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our regulatory approaches are transparent, science-based, and in the best interest of Nigeria. We are here to safeguard your health, our environment, and the future of our nation.’’

Dr. Asagbra also noted that the NBMA was established with safety as its top priority.

“Every Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) approved by our Agency undergoes rigorous scientific scrutiny and strict regulatory procedures to ensure it meets the highest safety standards and is in the best interest of Nigerians,’’ she added.