The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has restated its commitment to ensuring that all Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria are strictly regulated, warning that violators of the law will face tough sanctions.

Mrs. Gloria Ogbaki, Head of Information and Public Relations at NBMA, emphasized that Nigeria operates one of the most robust biosafety systems in Africa, built on transparency, scientific evidence, and global best practices.

“No GMO enters or is used in Nigeria without passing through the Agency’s strict, science-based approval process. Any importer or producer found violating the NBMA Act will be sanctioned,” Ogbaki said.

Rigorous Approval Process

Established under the NBMA Act of 2015 (amended in 2019), the agency is the national authority mandated to regulate biotechnology and safeguard public health, biodiversity, and the environment.

Before any GMO can be imported, produced, or commercialized in Nigeria, companies must submit a detailed application supported by:

• Comprehensive scientific data
• Environmental and health risk assessments
• Safety studies and nutritional evaluations

Each application undergoes rigorous scrutiny by the National Biosafety Committee and the Technical Sub-Committee, which include scientists from universities, research institutes, and professional bodies.

Transparency and Public Engagement

To uphold transparency, every GMO application is:

• Published in at least two national newspapers
• Deposited at strategic locations nationwide
• Opened to the public for a 21-day review period where concerns and feedback are welcomed

Independent experts are then brought into the review process before any decision is taken.

Post-Approval Monitoring and Sanctions

Even after approval, GMO products are subject to strict post-release monitoring, inspections, and quarterly surveillance. Where breaches occur, NBMA enforces penalties that may include seizure, destruction, or repatriation of unauthorized GMOs.

Ogbaki stressed that labelling of GMO products is mandatory under Nigerian law, ensuring consumers’ right to make informed choices.

Alignment with Global Standards

NBMA aligns its regulatory processes with international standards, including those of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

The agency also noted that Nigeria’s biosafety framework has been recognized as a model across Africa, guiding other countries in setting up their own systems.

“Our duty is to protect Nigerians while supporting safe innovation. Science, not sentiment, drives our decisions, and we will continue to regulate GMOs with transparency, firmness, and integrity,” Ogbaki added.