By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria through strict scientific evaluation.

Speaking to journalists on Friday in Abuja, the Director-General NBMA, Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, highlighted the thorough processes involved in approving GMOs for confined field trials, imports, and other uses.

She assured Nigerians of transparency, adding that the press would be allowed to observe these procedures.

“We conduct rigorous scientific checks before approving any GMO to ensure public safety,” the DG said.

Addressing critics, she explained that most anti-GMO claims are based on outdated studies, noting that countries like the United States, China, and members of the European Union now embrace GMOs to tackle food security challenges.

She also pointed out challenges the agency faces, including limited access to ports and poor collaboration with other regulatory bodies, which sometimes hinder effective monitoring of imported GMO products.

The DG emphasized that modern agricultural technologies like GMOs are essential for boosting food production in Nigeria, especially in the face of climate change.

She assured Nigerians that the agency remains committed to global best practices to protect public health and the environment.