The National Biosafety Management Agency in Nigeria (NBMA) says it will continue to prove that regulation is not a barrier to innovation, rather the bridge that connects innovation to trust and sustainability.
The Director General of NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, who stated this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, at a press briefing to mark her two years in office, urged citizens to continue to build a Nigeria where biotechnology serves humanity, protects nature, and feeds the nation.
She says these two years have been driven by a clear mission to regulate the safe and responsible application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria, in a manner that safeguards human health, protects the environment, and conserves biodiversity.
“One of our proudest achievements in the past year has been the successful surveillance and tracking of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in 32 supermarkets across Nigeria.
This exercise was not a routine inspection, but it was a national effort to ensure that only approved GMO products are sold to the Nigerian public, enforce proper labeling standards in line with international best practices, and strengthen consumer confidence in our food system,” she said.
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Dr. Asagbra stated that under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the NBMA is proud to have protected Nigeria’s biodiversity from unintended GMO threats.
She remarked that the NBMA has also enhanced environmental health by promoting low-chemical agriculture and advanced national food security by enabling safe innovation.
“But we are not stopping here.
Our next steps will include deeper public engagement and biosafety awareness, stronger collaboration with farmers, researchers, and civil society, and continuous investment in innovation, monitoring, and education,” she explained.
According to her, “These exercises contribute directly to the preservation of biodiversity by preventing the unintended release or circulation of unauthorized organisms that may pose ecological risks. It also ensures our people are informed and protected when it comes to their food choices.”
Dr. Asagbra said the Agency also certified nine facilities nationwide, as a way of strengthening Nigeria’s food system.
“Certification of nine facilities for Food, Feed, and Processing (FFP). We also certified nine facilities nationwide to handle food, feed, and processing (FFP) of GMO materials. Why is this important?
Because biosafety does not end on the farm. It continues through the value chain from storage to processing to your dinner table. These certified facilities are now part of a national biosafety system that ensures no cross-contamination, no unauthorized imports or processing, and complete traceability from field to fork,” she stated.
The Director General further stressed that in 2024 alone, the Agency trained 1,470 Nigerians in GMO detection, biosafety laboratory analysis, environmental risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.
“We believe that people are our most valuable asset. That is why, in 2024 alone, 1,470 Nigerians—these trainees include scientists, customs officers, academics, and private sector actors. We are building a new generation of biosafety professionals who will serve as watchdogs and innovators in our food and health sectors,” Dr. Asagbra stated.
She explained that the NBMA is partnering with other stakeholders to ensure Nigeria is prepared to detect, prevent, and respond to any form of biological threat, whether from natural outbreaks, laboratory accidents, or bioterrorism.
“Strengthening Biosecurity Through Strategic Partnerships
Beyond food and agriculture, biotechnology intersects with biosecurity. Hence, the agency is saddled with the additional mandate of putting measures in place to ensure biosecurity in the country.”
“This is why NBMA has forged strategic partnerships with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and INTERPOL.
Together, we have established the National Biosecurity Advisory Committee, inaugurated the National Technical Working Group on Biosecurity, and initiated a National Biosecurity Action Plan (2022–2026),” she said.