…restates commitment to robust biosafety regulations

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has reiterated the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe and ethical adoption of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) in agriculture and biotechnology.

This was the focus of a sensitization workshop organized by the NBMA in collaboration with FIDDI Global Investment Nigeria Limited, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

In her opening remarks, NBMA Director General, Dr. Agnes Asagbra, emphasized the importance of adapting to rapid advancements in biotechnology.

She highlighted the potential of NBTs to improve food security, enhance crop resilience, and address climate change challenges.

“As a regulatory agency, we must ensure that these advancements are ethically safe for humans, animals, plants, and the environment,” Dr. Asagbra said, urging participants to engage actively in the workshop to help shape future biosafety policies.

The NBMA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovation in biotechnology while safeguarding human and environmental health.

The Director of FIDDI Global Investment Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lanre Adesoye, praised the NBMA for its efforts in organizing the event.

He described NBTs as revolutionary tools capable of transforming agriculture while stressing the need for safety, transparency, and alignment with global best practices.

“This workshop bridges knowledge gaps and fosters collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation while ensuring sustainability,” Adesoye remarked.

Delivering a lecture on the science and applications of NBTs, President of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Biotechnology Consortium (NBBC), Professor Celestine U. Aguoru, explained that NBTs involve precise genetic modifications to enhance plant traits without introducing foreign DNA.

“These techniques are crucial for addressing agricultural challenges, especially with Nigeria’s growing population and the urgent need for improved food security,” he said.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society. Discussions focused on raising awareness, promoting biosafety, and addressing regulatory gaps to ensure the safe implementation of these advanced techniques.