By Abbas Nazil
A coalition of farmers, scientists, nutritionists, legal and medical practitioners, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and youth organizations has raised serious concerns over the risks posed by genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to Nigerians and the environment.
The warning was issued during a rally for food sovereignty and environmental justice organized by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and GMO-Free Nigeria in Abuja.
Participants called on the government to enforce a ban on GMOs, referencing a 2024 recommendation by the House of Representatives urging caution against GMO deployment.
The rally proceeded to the National Assembly, where a petition was formally submitted, stressing that the continued commercialisation and deployment of GMOs threatens food sovereignty, biodiversity, farmers’ livelihoods, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of HOMEF, Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes, highlighted critical concerns, including contamination of Nigeria’s genetic resources due to cross-pollination from genetically engineered crops, soil degradation from toxins in GMOs such as Bt cowpea and cotton, and the loss of traditional seed-saving practices.
Mariann Bassey-Olsson of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria noted that over 30 countries, including several in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, have banned or restricted GMOs due to environmental and health concerns.
Dr. Jacqueline Ikeotuonye of the Bio-Integrity and Natural Food Awareness Initiative refuted claims that GMOs increase yields, citing a 2024 National Cotton Association of Nigeria report that showed no significant yield advantage over local seed varieties, and noted declining productivity in subsequent planting seasons.
Martins Ogunlade of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa emphasized the need for accountability from the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), highlighting the lack of long-term risk assessments or clinical trials prior to GMO approval in Nigeria.
Speakers also referenced studies linking GMO consumption to health risks, including antibiotic resistance associated with the Bt cowpea enzyme NPTII, which has been linked to immune system disruptions in animal studies.
Farmers and civil society representatives stressed that government decisions must prioritize Nigerians’ interests, demanding an immediate ban on GMO materials for planting, food, feed production, and processing, as well as the nullification of all previously issued permits.
They called for investment in agroecology, organic farming, and sustainable practices to ensure food security, protect biodiversity, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy, asserting that GMOs threaten the long-term health and autonomy of Nigerian agriculture.
