Environmental experts are calling on the Nigerian government to impose a ban on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
They argue that GMOs pose significant health and environmental risks that could harm the country’s future.
Researchers, farmers, and civil society groups support this call to protect citizens and ecosystems from the dangers of genetic engineering.
Experts claim that GMOs threaten biodiversity, reduce agricultural sustainability, and create dependency on multinational corporations for seed supply. These stakeholders urge the government to cancel all permits granted for GMO distribution and production in the country.
In their statement, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation expressed concerns over the lack of proper risk assessments for GMOs.
The group also advocates for promoting agroecology as an alternative to GMOs, citing its potential for sustainable food security. Nnimmo Bassey, the Executive Director of HOMEF, emphasized that Nigeria does not need GMOs to address food insecurity.
He pointed out that GM crops do not support local economic growth but instead foster corporate dependency. Bassey also noted that Nigerian farmers cannot replant GM seeds due to declining yields, forcing them to repurchase seeds.
The National Coordinator of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, Ifeanyi Nwankwere, criticized the lack of GMO labelling in Nigeria’s food markets. He stressed that the informal food trade in open markets complicates effective labelling, making it nearly impossible for consumers to make informed decisions. Nwankwere also expressed concerns about the biosafety regulatory system’s ability to ensure the safety of GMOs. He questioned the role of the National Biotechnology Development Agency in approving GMO permits, given its potential conflicts of interest.
Experts also pointed to international examples of countries that have successfully banned GMOs, including Russia, Mexico, and Uganda. They highlighted a recent Mexican court ruling, which banned GMO corn due to its threat to biodiversity. Additionally, the Supreme Court of South Africa ruled against Monsanto’s GMO maize, citing insufficient safety assessments. In Nigeria, over 50 imported packaged food products contain GM ingredients, further raising concerns about consumer safety. A survey conducted by HOMEF revealed that these products are widespread in Nigerian markets, posing potential health risks.
