Nigerian groups demand halt to GMO approvals, call for review

A coalition of Nigerian environmental, agricultural, and civil society groups has called on the government to pause all new approvals of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The organizations also demand an independent review of existing GMO approvals, citing significant concerns about biosafety, public health, biodiversity, and farmers' rights.

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Participants raised concerns about the implications of GMOs for biosafety, environmental protection, food sovereignty, public health and farmers’ rights, the communiqué said.

The demands were issued in a communiqué following a National Conference on Biosafety and Agroecology in Abuja. The conference, which included representatives from government ministries, regulators, farmers, researchers, and civil society, examined the increasing commercialization of GM crops in Nigeria, such as Bt Cowpea, TELA Maize, and transgenic cotton.

Participants expressed worries about the potential implications of GMOs for food sovereignty and environmental protection. They specifically urged the federal government to impose a moratorium on new GMO approvals until comprehensive, independent, long-term, and peer-reviewed assessments, including feeding and environmental impact studies, are completed. An independent review of current approvals was also requested to ensure compliance with the National Biosafety Management Act and the precautionary principle.

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They similarly urged the federal government to place a moratorium on new GMO approvals pending independent, long-term and peer-reviewed assessments, including feeding trials, environmental impact assessments and social impact studies.

Beyond GMOs, the group advocated for strengthening public agricultural research and extension services, protecting indigenous seed systems, supporting community seed banks, phasing out hazardous pesticides, and increasing investment in agroecological research and training. The debate over GM crops in Nigeria remains divided, with proponents highlighting potential increases in food production and security, while critics fear environmental and health risks, coupled with concerns about regulatory enforcement and labeling transparency.

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An independent review of existing approvals to ensure compliance with the National Biosafety Management Act (NBMA) and the precautionary principle also featured in their demands.