FG approves three genetically-modified crops

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has approved the commercial release of three genetically-modified crops in Nigeria.

They’re Bt Cotton, which is resistant to bollworm pests; Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea (PBR Cowpea)— This was approved in 2016 and it is also known as GM beans, engineered to resist the maruca vitrata (pod borer) pest. It was approved in 2019; and TELA Maize, which combines insect resistance and drought tolerance; received approval in 2021.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NBMA, Bello Bawa Bwari, in a statement, reaffirmed the agency’s strong commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the promotion of safe and approved biotechnology innovations aimed at achieving food security and sovereignty in Nigeria.

According to him, the three crops were developed by Nigerian scientists from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, underscoring Nigeria’s growing capacity in home-grown biotechnology innovations that support food security and economic growth.

He emphasised that ensuring national food security and sovereignty is a central pillar of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the NBMA under his leadership is fully aligned with this vision.

“We are committed to championing and promoting scientifically- approved, safe agricultural products across the country.

“Our goal is to boost agricultural productivity, uplift farmers from poverty, and ensure that Nigeria attains genuine food security and sovereignty” he said.

While commending the IAR team for meeting global ethical and regulatory standards in biotechnology research, the Director General urged them to remain steadfast in complying with biosafety guidelines.

“NBMA is a regulatory agency for everyone and belongs to nobody. “We are open to all stakeholders, but we will only endorse biotech products that have been scientifically proven to be safe for humans, animals, and the environment” Bwari reiterated.

Responding, Professor Mohammed Ishiyaku, who led the IAR delegation, expressed appreciation to the Director General for his visionary leadership and congratulated him on his appointment. He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to developing improved crop varieties through cutting-edge research aimed at addressing agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases, and low yields.

Ishiyaku added that the efforts will significantly contribute to the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda by enhancing agricultural productivity and securing Nigeria’s food future.

He further assured that the institute will continue to operate in line with the NBMA’s regulations to ensure the safe and responsible application of modern biotechnology in the country.ENDS