Consumer Safety: 4 GM products illegal, dangerous to human health, says NBMA

*Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency affirms its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms has identified serious compliance abnormalities in the affected crop varieties

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government of Nigeria has affirmed it declared four new Genetically-Modified (GM) transgenic cotton hybrid varieties illegal and dangerous to consumers’ health.

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), which disclosed this in a statement, said the products included Mic 561 Bgii, Mic 563 Bgii, Bioseed-Fiyah Ch1001, and Bioseed-Fiyah Ch1002.

Gloria Ogbaki, Head of Information and Public Relations at NBMA, stated that through its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms, the regulatory agency had identified serious compliance abnormalities in the varieties.

Cotton varieties registered without regulatory approval: Official

The statement also noted that subsequent verification established the cotton varieties were registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries March 26, 2026.

The agency, however, said the product varieties were named, registered and released without the requisite approval of NBMA, as required under the National Biosafety Management Act 2015 (as amended).

It also said further findings confirmed that confined field trials, and related activities involving the transgenic varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight by the agency.

The NMBA averred: “At no time did NBMA grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties.

“Under the NBMA Act, it is instructive to note that no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or the commercial release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without the explicit approval of NBMA.

“Any action taken outside this framework constitutes a violation of national biosafety regulations.”

Ogbaki further explained that NBMA has directed the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries to suspend any further action on the registration and release of the varieties pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The statement noted: “The agency will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law.

“The NBMA assures all Nigerians that the agency will handle this matter with all seriousness.”

The Head of Information and Public Relations at NBMA stated: “There is no evidence at this time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity.

“The National Biosafety Management Agency remains committed to ensuring that all modern biotechnology activities in Nigeria are conducted in strict compliance with national laws and international best practices.”

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