Amid growing public debate over the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has stated that GMO foods are not inherently harmful to human health — provided they meet proper safety standards.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, Adeyeye sought to clarify misconceptions about GMOs, emphasizing that the agency’s priority is to ensure that only safe and high-quality products make it into the Nigerian market.
“GMOs are not bad for us,” she said. “It depends on the type of food and whether proper safety checks have been carried out. If those checks are done, there’s no cause for alarm.”
According to Adeyeye, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) plays a key role in evaluating GMO safety in Nigeria. NAFDAC, she explained, collaborates closely with NBMA before granting any market approvals.
“We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the biosafety agency. Without their certification — whether through lab tests or document reviews — we won’t approve any GMO food for public consumption,” she said.
Adeyeye, who described herself as a “food freak,” also stressed the importance of transparency in food labeling and urged Nigerians to read product labels carefully.
“For NAFDAC, our mandate is to ensure that what gets to the market is safe, of good quality, and effective. We take that responsibility very seriously,” she added.
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The NAFDAC DG’s comments come at a time when GMOs remain a hot-button issue in Nigeria, with activists calling for stricter labeling laws, and some citizens voicing fears over long-term health risks.
Others argue that GMOs can help address food insecurity and reduce reliance on imports.
So far, the Nigerian government has approved a limited number of genetically modified crops, including Bt cotton and cowpea (beans), for commercial use.
However, calls for greater public awareness and regulatory clarity have continued to mount.
As Nigeria seeks to balance technological innovation in agriculture with public health concerns, NAFDAC’s position underscores a commitment to science-based regulation and consumer safety.