“We cannot give poison to our own people,” says NBRDA director.
The Federal Government has dismissed fears that the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria could harm citizens, insisting the technology aims to enhance food security and nutrition.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), said, “We cannot give poison to our own people. Many of us working in this field are Nigerians, responsible scientists who are also consumers.”
She noted that GMOs have been safely used for over 30 years in more than 45 countries, adding that Nigeria’s adoption follows strict biosafety measures.
Dr Angarawai Ignatius of ICRISAT explained that biotechnology strengthens crops against pests, diseases, and climate stress, while Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha of NBRDA said the framework aligns with global standards to ensure safety and economic resilience.
Officials stressed that all GMO products undergo rigorous risk assessments before approval to guarantee public trust.