Nigeria’s Biosafety Management Agency to maintain topmost position in Africa

The National Biosafety Management Agency in Nigeria, NBMA, says the agency is ready to upgrade its technology in order to continue to be top biosafety and biotechnology regulatory body on the continent.

The Director General of the Agency Dr Agnes Asagbra, stated this in Abuja at a press conference to address some burning questions in the public concerning the regulation of modern Biotechnology and the position of the Agency.

She said Nigeria’s biosafety processes are on par with, if not ahead of those in other African countries like Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa.

“Our agency has received international recognition for its robust regulatory framework, which serves as a model for biosafety and biotechnology regulation across the continent.”

“These countries also have robust biosafety regulations but our Biosafety system still ranks high because of the top notch international standard that is applied. For instance, Kenya has been at the forefront of GMO research and commercialization in Africa, with its National Biosafety Authority approving the environmental release of Bt cotton. Similarly, South Africa has been growing GMO crops since 1997 and has a well-established regulatory system.” She said.

She said: “We are top here in Africa but not ready to rest on our oars. We want to upgrade on our technology in order to be on top of our trade.”

The Director General further stressed that the Biosafety Law in Nigeria is more than just legislation, it’s a commitment to the nation’s sustainable future.

She noted that the Agency would ensures that as Nigeria harnesses the benefits of modern biotechnology, it does so responsibly, with the utmost regard for the health of its people and the environment.

Asagbra appealed that: “Let us embrace the advancements in safe modern biotechnology with an informed perspective. Let us trust in the rigorous processes that have been established to protect us all. Together, we can move towards a future where food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth go hand in hand.”

She noted that the establishment of the NBMA has led to the development of biosafety frameworks of international standards, including a GMO detection and analysis laboratory, national biosafety policies, and regulatory instruments, insisting that:

“These measures have positioned Nigeria as a leader in biosafety regulation in Africa, influencing other countries’ biosafety practices.”