Dr Agnes Asagbra, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), says the agency will continue to be the top biosafety and biotechnology regulatory body in Africa.
Asagbra gave this assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference on the achievements of the agency in recent times.
“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.
“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.’’
She said the listed countries also had robust biosafety regulations but Nigeria’s biosafety system would ranks high because of the top notch international standard that was applied.
Asagbra said that Kenya had been at the forefront of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) research and commercialisation in Africa.
“Its National Biosafety Authority approved the environmental release of Bt cotton; similarly, South Africa has been growing GM crops since 1997 and has a well-established regulatory system.
“The Biosafety Law in Nigeria is more than just legislation; it is a commitment to the nation’s sustainable future; it 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.
“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.”
She said that the establishment of the NBMA led to the development of biosafety frameworks of international standards, including GMO detection and analysis laboratory, national biosafety policies, and regulatory instruments.
“These measures have positioned Nigeria as a leader in biosafety regulation in Africa, influencing other countries’ biosafety practices,” she said. (NAN)